How to Treat a Reaction to Sunscreen

Written by Jennifer Purdie

11 December, 2018

Sunscreen is necessary to avoid the sun's harmful rays, but if you are sensitive to creams and lotions, wearing it may be difficult. If you experience redness, swelling and/or blisters just minutes or even days after applying it, you may be experiencing contact dermatitis (the term meaning a skin reaction to a substance). If the reaction is severe, call a doctor immediately. But there are a few things you can do for instant treatment.

Cleanse

Remove any traces of the sunscreen. Wash your body with a mild cleanser and water. Use a washcloth to gently wash the sunscreen off your skin. Do not harshly rub, as this will only cause further irritation.

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Lightly and gently apply a hydrocortisone cream, which is available at your local drugstore. This will help calm the skin down and take away some of the redness.

Call a dermatologist for further testing. Be sure to bring in the product with you. He can check to see which substances you are allergic to through various allergy testing materials. It may be that you are allergic to the fragrances or dyes found within that particular sunscreen 1.

Tips

If you find yourself with a reaction to sunscreen, be sure to look for ingredients such as benzophenone 4, 4-aminobenzoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate, Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA), and Arlatone UVB on any bottle of sunscreen. These are substances which can cause an allergic reaction. Look for sunscreens that contain only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They work better for those with sensitive skin. Read product labels carefully. The best manner to treat contact dermatitis is avoidance. Test a small amount of sunscreen before you rub it all over your body. Rub a small amount of the sunscreen on the back of your arm and leave it on for 48 hours. Then, check to see if any reaction has occurred. If so, discontinue the use of the product.

Warnings

As always, avoid prolonged periods of sun and always use an SPF of at least 25. Do not use a reaction as a reason not to put on sunscreen. See a dermatologist to discuss your options.