Sunshine and suncream – not always the protector
I love the sunshine. We always try to embrace the nice weather and get outdoors.
We have a small outside space and we love to set up the paddling pool, the boys run naked and just play!
My biggest stress when it comes to the sunny weather is suncream.
Poor Frankie has horrible eczema. Mostly, I can keep on top of it through diet, but any attack to the immune system or growth spurt etc, triggers it.
Alongside eczema comes sensitive skin. We have to be so careful what moisturisers, bubble bath etc we use! Sun cream is a real issue!!!!
It’s fine to put on and even during the day will be ok and do it’s job, but later on it’s a nightmare!!!!
Easter weekend was absolutely gorgeous and the first time this year we needed to use it. I used a brand called ‘La Roche Posay’, one that at the end of last season seemed to be perfect. Frankie was fine through the day, but after bath time his skin changed. He looked like he had a prickly heat rash all over his body. Arms, legs, torso, face – everywhere. It was eveident the suncream was no longer an option for us.
Coping with the aftermath of the reaction is hard work. Frankie was awake all night and scratched all the time. This last reaction was so bad and I tried to calm it and moisturise his skin morning and night. I followed the skin care routine I was advised by the dermatology department at RCH Treliske. But nothing was helping. After a week I ended up having to use his steroid creams (I will go further into this on another post) and it cleared up within 36 hours. But that wasn’t a fun week. Not only does his skin irritate him, his behaviour changes. My calm sensitive boy becomes irritable and short tempered. Infuriating to deal with but I understand why. Just my selfishness struggling to cope.
I’ve tried various creams;
Uvisat, Moogoo, The Green People, Soltan, Nivea, La Roche Possay, Riemann P2O, Lidl’s own brand, Garnier, SunSense.
Some work for a few applications and then his body rejects them. I’ve even tried using his moisturiser as a light barrier.
I follow a few forums and groups on Facebook. One I’ve been advised to try is Aldi’s own brand. I’ve also picked up one by ‘Child’s Farm’.
We used the Aldi one last weekend and fingers crossed it was ok, only a few little patches have come up, which could also have been irritation from the sand or our artificial grass.
Unfortunately for us, it is trial and error and even the dermatologists say this. But wow, it is expensive. £10-£15 a time!! For something that may not even work.
So, although I LOVE the nice sunny weather, I’m nervous and anxious about it as well. One beautiful day can ruin a whole week. I will still take the risk of his skin being irritated because the joy and the goodness he gets from being in the sun outweighs it. But I really hope this next suncream doesn’t cause as many problems.
