What to do for allergic rash to sunscreen?

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When selecting a sunscreen to use for the upcoming summer season, you might have a hard time choosing from the wide selection of products readily available in the market these days. You will find terms such as UVA, SFP, UVB, mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen during your search. Obviously, the list becomes longer and even more complicated if you have allergies to consider, making it vital to carefully check the ingredients of products you are planning to purchase.

Always bear in mind that finding the ideal sunscreen if an individual has allergies will surely take some time and effect, but it is definitely worth the time. If you want to learn how to properly manage an allergic reaction, read here.

Allergic rash due to sunscreen

Always bear in mind that determining if an individual has an allergic reaction to sunscreen as opposed to some other irritant can be a difficult task, since exposure to the sun and wind alone can trigger the manifestation of the skin symptoms among highly sensitive individuals. An allergy to sunscreen can manifest as a contact allergy once it is applied on the skin, but other reactions can occur once the individual is exposed to the sun which is called as contact photoallergy.

The usual symptoms of sunscreen allergy include itchy skin, red-colored rash, burning skin and red-colored bumps. Take note that these bumps can develop on any part of the body where the sunscreen was applied or where the skin with sunscreen was exposed to the sun.

Sunscreen allergy
The usual symptoms of sunscreen allergy include itchy skin, red-colored rash, burning skin and red-colored bumps.

Common culprits

Sunscreen usually contains various ingredients that have the capability to trigger allergic reactions, oftentimes resulting to an allergic rash. Many sunscreen products have a general warning to stop usage in case a rash or allergy develops. The main classes of ingredients responsible for sensitization include homosalate, para-amino benzoic acids, benzophenone and cinnamates. If an individual developed an allergic rash, these are some of the ingredients that must be avoided.

Other potential chemicals

Another usual component that individuals react to in cosmetic products is the fragrance and it is not different with sunscreen. Even though it is tempting to purchase products based on how they feel and smell, it is important to bear in mind that those who have sunscreen allergies should stick with “less is more”.

Once fragrance is included in the ingredients, it does not indicate a single ingredient since it actually means several ingredients. It is best to opt for a sunscreen that does not have fragrance.

Chemical versus mineral

Individuals who have experienced an allergic rash might alleviate the condition by switching to a mineral-based sunscreen than a chemical-based sunscreen. It is important to note that mineral-based sunscreens often contain less man-made ingredients and usually offer better effectiveness.

Based on a study conducted, it was discovered that mineral-based sunscreen have the ideal safety profile among the choices available today. These sunscreens are stable under exposure to the sun and do not penetrate the skin. Additionally, these offer UVA protection which is not available in most of the sunscreen products in the market.

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