I am not typically one to get over sensitive to the "green" movement. If I find something comfortable and affordable in being green than I will pick that option.
We all have heard that you shouldn't use sunscreen on children 6 months and younger. Which I thought was sort of a silly thing. Since I'm very sensitive to getting burned; I was sure that my fair skinned daughter would be the same.
As a family we took a trip to Hilton Head, NC to visit family. While there I lathered my family (including myself) with nice new sunscreen purchased specifically for the trip. This sunscreen was just your average sunscreen available at any one of your local stores.
A few days after getting home, I realized that something wasn't right. I started to break out into all these little tiny red bumps. I didn't pay too much attention to it until the next morning when my extremities were covered! Being pregnant with my second child, I knew that I had to be careful. After a quick call to my OB she suggested some allergy pills that were safe during pregnancy and a topical anti-itch cream. This did little to ease the discomfort.
Within the next few days the rash turned into hot, itchy, inflamed blisters all over my arms and legs. I was at a loss as to what it was as I'd never experienced a rash like that nor had I known someone to go through anything like it. I consulted with my ob and with a dermatologist and they came to the conclusion that it was a reaction to the sunscreen I'd used while on vacation.
I was couldn't believe it. But sure enough, after a little internet research on sunscreen reactions, I found exactly what I was going through.
So here's what my dermatologist recommended to stay away from when pregnant and with little babies:
oxybenzone
octisalate
homosalate
If you do a little research on any of these chemicals you will surely understand the seriousness of the issue. They interrupt hormones, they may cause liver damage, and all sorts of other things. So be a smart consumer and protect your family! You really don't want to put a child through what I just went through. Red, blistering, pruritic rash that takes a month to go away.
