The onset of summer also brings having fun in the sun and playing with splashing water.
But
Remember skin safety rituals!
Sun protection is significant for shielding against sunburns and increasing risks and causes of premature skin ageing. This also implies choosing the right sunscreen to avoid any disruptions against eczema or sensitive skin. However, the allergic reactions related to sunscreen are very minimal but might extend with pre-existing conditions of eczema, phototoxic dermatitis, contact urticaria, or allergic contact dermatitis. The major symptoms include itching, blisters, redness, or stinging sensations in the areas where sunscreen is applied. This reaction might surface right after the initial application, after the sun exposure to the area of application or even days after the repetitive application of the product for days.
The major contact sensitizer present in sunscreen is para-aminobenzoic acid also known as PABA which is no longer used in the manufacturing of sunscreens. However, oxybenzone (also known as benzophenone-3) is the majorly integrated ultraviolet A filter globally and is also the most widely known cause of sunscreen-induced photoallergic contact dermatitis followed by DL-alpha-tocopherol and fragrances.
Mineral sunscreens implement the use of ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are less likely to cause any contact allergy, and sunscreens with chemicals although popular due to their lightweight and sheer look, are more likely to cause sunscreen allergy.
If you have skin sensitivity issues, have a history of allergic contact dermatitis with an unknown allergen, and are struggling to choose a sunscreen product; an appointment with an allergist can come to help. Allergists can perform a patch test for the identification of chemicals causing reactions. This makes it convenient to avoid any accidental exposure to the specific chemical moving forward. Brands known to be gentler on the skin like Vanicream, Cerave, Cetaphil, and Eucerin make good options but checking ingredient labels to know which chemical you are allergic to holds prominence.
