Not all sunscreen products good for kids
Some children may get adverse reactions to certain brands’ ingredients, doctors warn
THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Dermatologists say sunscreen can be one of the best ways to protect youngsters from painful burns and subsequent DNA damage, but with recent media reports about a spate of adverse reactions, many parents may be wondering whether they should be slathering their kids with the products before sending them outdoors.
“Overall, sunscreens are very safe,” said Dr. Jennifer Beecker, national chairwoman of the Canadian Dermatology Association’s sun awareness program, noting that they need to have a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 30 or more.
Still, the Ottawa dermatologist said sunscreen should be used as an adjunct to other protective measures, including seeking shade, avoiding sun exposure during the peak hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and covering up with clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
“Those are always the preferred methods in children and those are the ideal methods in children under the age of six months,” she explained. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under six months because safety data have not been established for that age group.
“Above six months, obviously (apply sunscreen) as much as possible, but then there are some areas that can’t be protected, such as the hands or the face, and so in those areas we suggest using a limited amount of sunscreen.”
Concerns about using sunscreen on young children recently hit the headlines when a number of parents claimed their youngsters had suffered burns and blisters following application of Banana Boat products.
Health Canada so far have processed 139 consumer complaints about the lotions made by U.S.based Edgewell Personal Care, with 133 of those received since May 11.
A Health Canada spokesperson said a review of the company’s certificates of analysis — laboratory documents confirming a product meets specifications — and available test results identified no problems.
However, the agency is now conducting its own screening of Banana Boat samples to identify “all drugs present, whether they appear on the label or not,” the spokesperson said.
In an emailed statement, Banana Boat Canada said its sunscreens fall within a neutral pH range and cannot cause chemical burns, but noted that some people may have a sensitivity to a particular ingredient that can be triggered or exacerbated by the sun.
“This type of photoallergic reaction can result in an exaggerated skin rash or sunburn. In more severe cases, blistering may also develop,” the company said. “We suggest consumers carefully test the product before use or consult their physician in advance if concerned about the possibility of sensitivity to certain ingredients.”
Toronto dermatologist Dr. Cheryl Rosen agreed that testing a sunscreen on a small patch of a child’s skin is a good idea. If the product is tolerated, parents can then try the lotion on a larger area of the skin and see if there are any adverse reactions outdoors in the sun.
“We don’t know whether they would react to the sunscreen if they didn’t go out in the sun or if it’s only in combination with the sun,” she said.
“We do know that there are some compounds that can cause a problem in combination with ultraviolet A, so if you use the product (indoors) you might not have a problem. But if you go outdoors and get sun exposure, there may be a reaction.”
While not a common occurrence, Rosen said some people are sensitive to one or more ingredients in sunscreens. “It could also be an allergy to a part of the sunscreen that’s not a UV absorber. It could be to a fragrance or a preservative or some other compound used in making up a lotion or a cream.”
Beecker advises parents to use sunscreens for kids that are fragrance-free and made with minimal preservatives. One common skin product preservative she suggests avoiding is methylchloroisothiazolinone, which is known “to have a very high rate of allergy.”
Cosmetic creams, including sunscreens like Banana Boat, often contain tocopheryl acetate — a combination of vitamin E and acetic acid that can be a skin irritant in some people.
Even so-called “natural” plantbased ingredients like aloe, chamomile and feverfew may cause problems because they can act as “photo sensitizers,” causing some people to become more susceptible to the sun’s rays.