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“My husband and me have been using this product for...”

written by on 22/06/2010

My husband and me have been using this product for quite a few years and we thought it was brilliant - that is until this year when we ran out of tubes of the older formula. In April this year we started on the new formula lotions and I developed a raised rash on my forearms and chest which has now spread to my upper arms. As I have Lupus and my husband wasn't affected I naturally thought I had a lupus flare-up although I had never been affected by the sun before.



I checked the tube of Piz Buin and noticed it stated that it contained Oxybenzone which I googled to find out more about it. Apparently it is a carcinogen which didn't exactly please me to say the least. I also read it can cause a polymorphous light eruption rash which can be eased by steroid creams and anti-histamines. I happened to have a tube of Betnovate cream at home and since I'd had the rash for a good six weeks or so I thought I'd use it and see if it helped. I have seen an improvement after just a few applications.



Having about six full tubes in Factor 30 and 15 in the house I contacted Johnson & Johnson. I was assured that oxybenzone is perfectly safe, tested and approved for use in cosmetic preparations and I'd simply had an allergic reaction to the product. They have kindly sent me a post paid label to return the product which they say they will replace with their anti-allergy range. They also sent me a comprehensive letter and questionnaire to complete and return with any photo's I might have taken of the rash and recommend that I consult my doctor to have the reaction/symptoms investigated. Perhaps this is something I should have done earlier, as now that the rash appears to be diminishing, it would be inappropriate, I think, to visit my GP. However, for those of you that have reported more severe reactions to those I have it me wise if you did this.