Less than 100% of people are allergic to sunscreen’s active ingredient, but redness, blisters, and itching are common. Allergic contact dermatitis and contact photoallergy are two types of reactions. A dermatologist or allergist can help determine what sunscreen to use.
Experts estimate that less than 100% of the world’s population is allergic to an active ingredient in sunscreen, but redness, blisters and itching are common indicators. The reaction is usually a rash of varying severity caused by a type of contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when a person is allergic to sunscreen, while contact photoallergy occurs when a person is allergic to the combination of sunscreen and sun exposure. A dermatologist or allergist can help determine what a person is actually allergic to and what type of sunscreen they should use instead.
Allergic contact dermatitis is a common allergic reaction to sunscreen. It occurs when a substance touches the skin of a person who is allergic or very sensitive to the ingredients. Signs of this reaction sometimes appear up to two days after exposure to sunscreen. You may experience redness, itching, and mild swelling of the skin. Also, some people experience blistering or oozing, open sores, depending on how severe the allergic reaction is.
Another type of contact dermatitis that occurs as a sign of an allergic reaction to sunscreen is called contact photoallergy. When someone has allergic contact dermatitis, they get a rash wherever sunscreen has been applied. On the other hand, with contact photoallergy, the rash only appears where sunscreen has been applied and has been exposed to the sun. Contact photoallergy occurs due to a reaction between the sun’s rays and the chemicals in sunscreen. These two signs of an allergic reaction to sunscreen can be hard to tell apart.
Since sunscreen is an important part of keeping skin healthy and preventing skin cancer, those who are allergic to a sunscreen ingredient need to find an alternative product to use. Some doctors may run tests to figure out exactly what a person is allergic to in sunscreen. After that, she can look for sunscreens that don’t contain the ingredient and therefore shouldn’t cause an allergic reaction.
Not all sunscreens are created equal, just like cosmetics, shampoos, and other skin or beauty products that sometimes cause an allergic reaction. In fact, there are more than a dozen active ingredients that can be used, as well as many fragrances and preservatives. Active ingredients, fragrance oils, and preservatives can all be the cause of an allergic reaction to sunscreen. Therefore, in most cases, a person can simply look for a different type of sunscreen and put it on with no problem.
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