Sunscreen Allergy

Sunscreen allergy is a skin allergy that occurs after applying certain sunscreen products. Like other types of contact dermatitis, sunscreen allergy presents as a rash or as other skin allergy symptoms where the sunscreen is applied. This may include a sunscreen allergy rash on the face, neck, arms, shoulders, chest, or back. You may be at an increased risk of sunscreen allergy if you have contact dermatitis with other topical products or sensitive skin. Individuals with sunscreen allergy are usually able to identify an alternative allergy free sunscreen that doesn’t cause allergy symptoms.

in St. Louis, Missouri

Sunscreen Allergy Ingredients

Common sunscreen allergy ingredients that can trigger a reaction include:

• Benzophenones (especially Oxybenzone, also called benzophenone-3)
• Cinnamates
• Dibenzoylmethane
• Added fragrances
• Preservatives or other inactive ingredients
• Botanical or “natural” extracts

Importantly, benzophenones, cinnamates, and dibenzoylmethane are photo-allergenic, meaning that they only become allergenic when exposed to UVA or UVB rays from the sunlight. Though not always the case, if you have a sunscreen allergy, you may notice that you can safely apply sunscreen indoors, and only begin to experience skin allergy symptoms after sun exposure.

Allergy Free Sunscreen

If you have a sunscreen allergy, an allergist will typically recommend trying allergy free sunscreens that have zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as opposed to the active ingredients listed above. These are often called mineral sunscreens because they use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. Many people with sunscreen allergy tolerate mineral sunscreen better than chemical sunscreen, but reactions are still possible. Some patients are not allergic to the active sunscreen ingredient itself, but instead react to fragrance, preservatives, botanicals, or other inactive ingredients in the product.

Fragrances should also be avoided. Generally, the fewer added ingredients in a sunscreen product, the less likely it is to trigger your allergies, but your exact experience is heavily dependent on which ingredient(s) you’re allergic to.

Repeated or severe instances of sunscreen allergy should be evaluated by an allergist to help identify what you’re allergic to. Your allergist can also offer suggestions for sunscreen use and sun exposure.

If your sunscreen allergy symptoms are tolerable, you may be able to identify an alternative sunscreen product that works for you through trial and error. You can test small amounts of different sunscreen products in small areas on your skin to see if an allergy occurs. Note that you may need to expose the treated area to sunlight in order to see if you have a reaction.

If you’re allergy free after two to three days of testing a new sunscreen, you may be safe to apply the new sunscreen to the rest of your body.

in St. Louis, Missouri

Sunscreen Allergy Symptoms

The telltale sign of sunscreen allergy is a red rash after sunscreen application. A sunscreen allergy rash may appear where the product was applied, including the face, neck, arms, shoulders, chest, or back. On the face, sunscreen allergy may cause redness, itching, swelling, bumps, burning, or irritation around the cheeks, forehead, eyelids, lips, or neck. Sunscreen allergy symptoms look similar to sun poisoning, heat rash, and/or sunburn. Other sunscreen allergy symptoms include:

• Hives
• Raised bumps
• Swelling
• Blisters
• Itchiness
• Bleeding
• Scaling
• Pain

Sunscreen allergy symptoms may take time to develop. Some individuals experience sunscreen allergy symptoms within minutes of exposure, while others see a delayed reaction of one to two days. It also bears repeating that you may not see a reaction at all unless the sunscreen on your skin is exposed to the sun.

Though rare, anaphylaxis is possible in severe sunscreen allergy reactions.

Sunscreen Allergy vs. Sun Allergy

Sunscreen Allergy Diagnosis

Sunscreen Allergy Treatment

References