My 19 month old granddaughter is breaking out in red blotches when sunscreen is applied to her skin. Her mother has tried a couple of different brands but so far no luck in finding something that doesn't break her out. She is blonde and has blue eyes so sunscreen is very important for her. Oddly enough, another granddaughter, 2 1/2, has red hair and blue eyes and sunscreens don't bother her skin.

Thanks for any help.

My 19 month old granddaughter is breaking out in red blotches when sunscreen is applied to her skin. Her mother has tried a couple of different brands but so far no luck in finding something that doesn't break her out. She is blonde and has blue eyes so sunscreen is very important for her. Oddly enough, another granddaughter, 2 1/2, has red hair and blue eyes and sunscreens don't bother her skin.

Thanks for any help.

Have you tried Vanicream Sunscreens? They are available at psico.com

They are very simple formulas for sensitive skin.

-Kevin

PD, I have an allergy to most chemical sunscreens.  Noone else in my family has this.  It took me along time to figure this out and back when I was a teenager there were few options.  I would break out in a small red itchy blister type rash.  It would show up 12 to 24 hours after I had used the sunscreen and last about a week or so.  VERY FRUSTRATING and miserable.

I have since seen two dematologists about this.  One told me that I was probably mildly allergic to the sun and the chemicals enhanced this condition.  Any way, your grandaughter needs to stay aways from ALL sunscreens except those with titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide (these are physical blockers) as their active ingrediants. Don't be swayed by labels that claim the sunscreen is for babies, sensitive skin, or mild as water, etc. READ the lingrediant list.

These are some examples of sunscreens that will work:
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF30
Blue Lizard Australian Suncream - Sensitive SPF30
Blue Lizard Australian Suncream - Baby SPF30

The Blue Lizard is more waterproof than the others. Also, beware that anyone wearing regular sunscreen should not pickup or hold your granddaughter as the regular sunscreen will rub off on her. (I have the opposite problem; my 2 year old gets regular sunscreen on me!)

I hope this helps.

I react to chemical sunscreens. I do not think I'm allergic to them because
I can use them on my body, but not my face. I reacted badly to the
Neutrogena Sensitive--when I showed it to derm, he said it had too many
other things in it. The more sensitive you are, the fewer ingredients you
should have in a product. I would recommend going to Whole Foods if
there is one near you. I use Clinique City Block now on face but am always
looking for the next best thing. Also, make sure baby has clothes with
decent SPF on and a hat. I realized I was sensitive to chemical sunscreens
while being made up at the Bobbi Brown counter when she was all the rage. The sunscreen in her mu had me screaming for a towel and water.
The mu artist figured it right out.

PD,

I was at Babies R Us yesterday and saw they had a physical (rather than chemical) sunblock made by Earth's Best, the same people that make the organic babyfood.  I did not buy it - I'm still trying to decide if my daughter has a sensitivity to sunscreen - sometimes she gets red dots, other times not.  But it might be worth a try.  I would imagine you might be able to purchase it at Whole Foods as well.

Jen