Allergic to Chap Stick and Lip Sun Screen

[dianeksfun]

Maybe I'm the only one out there who can't use anything on my lips. This problem started years ago when I developed thyroid disease. We are going on a two week Panama Canal cruise in February. I'm not looking forward to sunburned, dry, cracking, painful lips for two weeks. I wear a hat but still manage to be uncomfortable. Been to the doctor but no help there. Anyone out there have a suggestion? Thanks for your ideas.

[cb at sea]

I never put sunscreen on my lips, and have never had a "sunburn" on them! I do wear lipstick, which probably affords some protection.....who knows? I do wear a hat, tho--even tho it doesn't cover my face entirely....

In the Panama region, you need to find some cover--you are only about 8 degrees off the equator and the sun is really, really fierce--it will burn you up! Stay indoors!

Have you tried Zinc Oxide? It's ugly (white) but it WILL protect you from the sun.

[the_dylaness]

What happens when you apply chap stick?

[JanineM]

Have you been to a dermatologist? They may have something that will work for you. I wouldn't go out without sunscreen on my lips. I get cold sores if I have sunburn on my lips, and it is not exactly the most fun way to spend a sunny vacation!!!

[vowsatsea]

This may sound weird, but Lush (http://www.lush.com) makes a massage bar called Mange Too. I use it on my lips all the time. It's made from all natural ingredients, and they have the ingredients listed on the website. I usually cut a piece off the bar and travel with it. It's completely safe, and doesn't have anything artificial.

[sailingkiwi]

I have a similar problem, but only if the SPF is over 15. SPF 15 and under I am fine, anything greater (say 30) my lips swell.

 

It is very important to use sunscreen on your lips as they have less melanocytes than regular skin and this gives them even less protection to the sun.

 

You should probably visit a doctor or specialist. A hat with a wide brim will of course help.

 

Even though you are going close to the equator it would necessarily be a dry hot, it is more likely to be humid, which might help a little.

[GORDONCHICK]

You probably need to find out what ingredients you are allergic to. Not all lip treatments have the same ingredients. I use Silk Infusion by Blistex. I love the way it feels (different than other chapstick-type balms) and it does have an SPF of 15.

[G'ma]

Maybe I'm the only one out there who can't use anything on my lips. This problem started years ago when I developed thyroid disease. We are going on a two week Panama Canal cruise in February. I'm not looking forward to sunburned, dry, cracking, painful lips for two weeks. I wear a hat but still manage to be uncomfortable. Been to the doctor but no help there. Anyone out there have a suggestion? Thanks for your ideas.

 

Long before lip balm and sunscreen, we used Vaseline.....the regular stuff that comes in a small jar. It contains none of the chemicals at all. Just apply a small amount to your lips with a fingertip... Works wonders and, unlike lip balm, you don't have to apply it every half hour or so.......

 

Also good to protect cheeks and nose from windburn and cold air. Lots of skiers still use it. It's invisible, too.

 

Guess you can tell I'm approaching "geezerhood". Sometimes the old standards work better than the "new" stuff...and without all the unpronouceable chemicals on the label....HA.

 

Good luck.

[Jane110]

Long before lip balm and sunscreen' date=' we used Vaseline.....the regular stuff that comes in a small jar. It contains none of the chemicals at all.

Just apply a small amount to your lips with a fingertip... Works wonders and, unlike lip balm, you don't have to apply it every half hour or so.......

 

Also good to protect cheeks and nose from windburn and cold air. Lots of skiers still use it. It's invisible, too. [/quote']

 

Vaseline on your lips in the sun is a very bad idea! Same with lip gloss. The shine attracts the damaging rays even more so than unprotected lips. So never use anything shiny on your lips that doesn't contain a sunblock.

 

A brand called Mission has a lip balm with sunscreen. I used it all summer as it gave my lips a nice gloss while protecting them. It's inexpensive and is sold in most sporting goods stores. www.missionproduct.com

 

Same with skiiers. A sunny day with the snow reflecting the sun on your face is a great way to damage skin.

 

 

Guess you can tell I'm approaching "geezerhood". Sometimes the old standards work better than the "new" stuff...and without all the unpronouceable chemicals on the label....HA.

 

 

Aren't the "geezers" the generation that sat with sun reflectors on their face so they could damage their skin even more than usual?

 

Maybe some "old standards" work better than now. However' date=' when it comes to sun damage which causes cancer at it's extreme worst, and simply accelerated skin aging as the least of its damages, the current standards of prevention are much better than in days of yore, whether you can pronounce the names or not.

 

 

 

[JanineM]

Same with skiiers. A sunny day with the snow reflecting the sun on your face is a great way to damage skin.

 

 

 

Way back in the late 70s, before we were encouraged to wear sunscreen, I used to ski at very high altitudes in the Rockies. One April day I managed to get second degree burns in under 5 hours of skiing. I wound up in the hospital with my face slathered in some sort of a potion that turned blue when it hit the air. My face was literally twice it's normal size because of the swelling and blisters. Ugly, ugly, ugly. My own sister didn't recognize me. I did not scar (fortunately), but it changed the texture of my skin forever. However, it did get me on sunscreen about 15 years before many other people. But the damage was already done.

 

The sun on water, like on snow, is extremely dangerous. Hope the OP finds something that will work on her lips so she doesn't wind up damaging her skin!

[byteofram]

My wife has the same problem and it's a particular ingredient in sunscreen and some chapsticks. She has been able to find some that doesn't have that ingredient in it. We stocked up on sunscreen, because if you don't open it the shelf life is a long time. If you don't have time to go to an allergist to get tested, you can buy a few different kinds and see if you react. My wife also has some medicine (a cream) so that if she comes into contact with something that she reacts to, she can put it on and it helps almost immediately. I think she has some pills too, but the cream is great. We like to snorkel, so she has her own vest now so that she doesn't have to risk someone's sunscreen still being on it.

[ger_77]

Have you tried the zinc oxide sticks that skiers and snowboarders use? It doesn't contain PABA or anything like that, and it actually moisturizes your lips. You can also get the sticks (they look like Chap Stick) in whacky colours, which can be fun, depending on where you are using them.

 

Here's a site that carries some:

http://www.solartex.com/servlet/-strse-509/Zinc-Oxide-Sunblock-Stick/Detail

 

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[GORDONCHICK]

Way back in the late 70s, before we were encouraged to wear sunscreen, I used to ski at very high altitudes in the Rockies. One April day I managed to get second degree burns in under 5 hours of skiing. I wound up in the hospital with my face slathered in some sort of a potion that turned blue when it hit the air. the damage was already done.

 

It was probably Silver Sulfadiazine, which has silver in it, so you would have turned a lovely silvery-blue. Best stuff for protecting a burn (the ones that don't require skin grafts or wound debridement) from infection. I keep tubes of this stuff in the kitchen and first aide kits (thankfully, haven't a reason to use it in a while).

[dianeksfun]

Thanks for your reply byteofram. Could you send me the name of the brand your wife uses? Also the meds the doctor gave her? Went to the dr. Friday but they look at me like I'm crazy. My sister works for a demo.. but he is so busy I had to seen someone who I did not like at all. If I have something to ask about I'm sure my sister can speak with the dr she works for. Thanks

 

I'm in Ohio too. The Cincinnati area

[slidergirl]

If you can, definitely visit a dermatologist to get a real opinion.

I did a little search, and found a site, skin911 (add the www and the .com). It deals with sensitive skin and skin problems. They have a PABA-free sunscreen. It definitely isn't cheap, but maybe they have a sample size you can try first.

[Dee777]

Vaseline on your lips in the sun is a very bad idea! Same with lip gloss. The shine attracts the damaging rays even more so than unprotected lips. So never use anything shiny on your lips that doesn't contain a sunblock.

 

A brand called Mission has a lip balm with sunscreen. I used it all summer as it gave my lips a nice gloss while protecting them. It's inexpensive and is sold in most sporting goods stores. www.missionproduct.com

 

Same with skiiers. A sunny day with the snow reflecting the sun on your face is a great way to damage skin.

 

 

Aren't the "geezers" the generation that sat with sun reflectors on their face so they could damage their skin even more than usual?

 

Maybe some "old standards" work better than now. However, when it comes to sun damage which causes cancer at it's extreme worst, and simply accelerated skin aging as the least of its damages, the current standards of prevention are much better than in days of yore, whether you can pronounce the names or not.

 

 

 

 

I am VERY fair, and cannot use sunscreen on my lips at all, they swell, itch and if left on too long, blister. I use Vaseline on my lips whenever I am outdoors and have never once had them burn. In fact, even without the Vaseline, they have never burnt, either. The Vaseline does keep them from chapping.

[wrp96]

jane110 is correct about vaseline and lipgloss. While you may not be getting sunburned, damage is definitely occurring to your lips. In order to protect your lips from permanent sun damage, you would be better off using a non-sheer lipstick than vaseline or chapstick.

[Jane110]

jane110 is correct about vaseline and lipgloss. While you may not be getting sunburned, damage is definitely occurring to your lips. In order to protect your lips from permanent sun damage, you would be better off using a non-sheer lipstick than vaseline or chapstick.

 

Yup.

 

I found two great lip protectors this summer. Mission which has a shine, and Juara which has a matte look.

[wrp96]

Yup.

 

I found two great lip protectors this summer. Mission which has a shine, and Juara which has a matte look.

 

Thanks for the suggestions on those BTW. I'm going to try them out.

[Cruzer Nut]

Hi All,

 

Just a thought from someone Down Under. The Skin Cancer Capital of the World - So they keep telling us. :rolleyes:

 

I SWEAR by a brand called Invisible Zinc - and the ingredient in it is just that ZINC no PABA's or any other nasties that so many are allergic too.

 

I think it maybe available world wide nowdays so just google it and see how you go.

 

No more ugly White noses (or wacky colours) :eek: for Sking or Lazing on the beach.

 

I use their tinted dayware everyday and their lip balm. Never burned or had any problems with it. It's not that cheap but it works.

 

Hope that helps :D Season's Greetings to all of you.

[cruzkitty]

Try your Local Bath & Body Works Store-they have several "lip protectors" and balms that are wonderful. (I also agree with the vaseline!)

[vulcan500]

Burt's Bees. This line has tons of products, is all natural and inexpensive. Their lip balm is wonderful.

[HeidisCruises]

I have had issues with many lip products as well. The dermatologists just gave me a blank stare when I described the swelling, itching, chapping problems I was having. I found a product called Dr. Dan's on line (you can google it) He has a medicated one for extreme dry, itchy problems, and another that is just "maintenance" that I use all the time. It doesn't have sunscreen, but really protects my lips. Have been relatively symptom free for months. :)

[katbat2]

Are you allergic to lanolin products? I too have problems w/ chapsticks after my diagnosis of hypothyroidism. I finally figured out I was allergic to lanolin (several years of try/eliminate) and my derm. confirmed it. I now have to read labels on all chapsticks and lotions. Also, I have developed problems w/ PABA. The condition makes you more skin sensitive among other things. Hope this helps and you find a lip product that works for you. It's miserable having dry, cracked lips while wanting to enjoy beach time or just being outdoors.