Yesterday morning I woke up and still had the itch o’ death. Then I began to read comments that discussed things like flesh-eating bacteria and wool pea coat allergies and decided I should go to the doctor to rule out my imminent demise.
The official verdict is I had an allergic reaction to my sunscreen.
Oh Coppertone. You betrayed me in my quest to practice safe sun.
However, I will take the sunscreen allergy over the possibility that I am allergic to my new pea coat. That would be tragic.
The nice doctor offered to give me a shot, but I think the look on my face was the only answer he needed. Umm yeah, I’ll just be taking that prescription and anything you have in the way of a topical ointment.
Anyway, let’s revisit the trip to Port Aransas where I contracted my horrendous skin disease.
We arrived at the beach last Tuesday afternoon, unloaded all our supplies and headed for the ocean. I’ll be honest, the water was dirty even by Texas beach standards which aren’t high.
But our little surfer girl was ready to go.
She and her daddy even managed to catch some fish in their throw net.
And the fish were the perfect addition to the ecosystem I had been feverishly constructing while the Coppertone ate away the top layer of my skin.
The next morning, P and I knew we needed a game plan to ensure we weren’t back in the ocean before 9 a.m. because beach vacations are all about pacing yourself. So we went out to eat breakfast at the Island Cafe because what makes a girl feel bathing suit ready like a short stack of pancakes covered in syrup?
I may have also had a breakfast taco.
After that, we drove over to the docks to see all the fish that the fishermen had caught that morning. I’m telling you there is nothing like the smell of fish and fish guts to make you want to tie some cement blocks to your feet and throw yourself off the dock just to make the smell go away.
But Caroline is her father’s daughter and is not deterred by all the gross.
Here she is checking out the live bait. She really wanted to buy one of the shrimp to keep as a pet.
And here she is with her daddy, watching a man with questionable dental hygiene clean some fish.
Our last stop before we hit the beach was a souvenir shop with a large shark out front. Caroline wasn’t going to rest until she went inside the shark.
Then, it was back to the beach.
And because I am careful about limiting my sun exposure, I continually sprayed myself down with torture in a can.
On Thursday we packed up the truck and began the arduous journey home.
This is Caroline after we’d been on the road for 2.5 seconds.
I wanted to join her but felt like P needed moral support as he drove home. I also thought he might need someone to share the pre-packaged Bluebird Cherry Pie he bought at the Quikmart, but he didn’t even offer me a bite.
I can’t believe I am married to someone who eats pre-packaged cherry pies from a convenience store. They are just not up to the culinary standards of, say, a Grandma’s Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookie.
The rest of the way home, I spent my time commenting on the absurdity of all the Hurricane Evacuation Route signs along the way. It makes me proud to see our tax dollars hard at work pointing out common sense. In case of a hurricane you can either drive north or head straight into the ocean.
Thank you, TXDoT for that valuable information.
Too bad they don’t post warnings about potential sunscreen allergies. It would have saved me a tube of hydrocortisone, four bottles of Zyrtec, the shame of wearing jeans and a long-sleeve shirt to church in the middle of August, and a $35.00 co-pay at the emergency clinic.
boomama says:
You and I have never discussed this, but D is also a fan of the pre-packaged cherry pie.
Vortex.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:44 am
Erin says:
I hear you about the sunscreen allergy. Many years ago my face blew up like a baloon from sunscreen, I had to go to the emergency room, my eyes were just about shut. It took a while for my face to return to normal it was just awful, after it was over my mother-in-law at the timesaid to me, gee Erin, I kept thinking that you were going to look like that permanently, she was so funny! I totally forgot about those little pies, I know many that are fans of those. I took a bite of one or two, not half bad.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:52 am
A&EMom says:
Poor girl. I would’ve taken the shot.
If you know which ingredient Satan added, you can do a search for it at http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com and eradicate it from your life.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Erica says:
Oh wow. We visited Rockport (right up the road from Port Aransas) back in June for a week and my 4 yr. old daughter (who also played endlessly in the sand) became inflicted with an all over body rash. Teeny-tiny bumps all over her face, back, stomach, arms. She was the only one who got a rash and I blamed it on the ultra-safe Banana Boat (paba-free, scent-free, color-free, free-for-all) sunscreen. So, I immediately stopped putting it on her. The rash lingered for about a week after that and then, it was gone.
I wonder now… since you got a rash too, if it truly WAS the sunscreen?! Weird stuff going on in those Gulf Waters (and sand, of course!)
August 19th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Shelly McCabe says:
My little guy flares up with certain sunscreens I use on him and the Coppertone baby is the one I can use on him. I learned with myself a few years ago that I can’t use any sunscreen that has Paba in it. So, I always look at the ingredients on sunscreen before I buy it to make sure it doesn’t have that.
I’m glad to hear you’ve found out what it is and that it wasn’t serious and treatable.
And, I have to admit that I am a convenience store cherry pie eater. I just love cherry pie period. You are right though, there is nothing that compares to homemade, but when when you are looking for a sweet treat that you didn’t have time to make, a store bought will do in a pinch. LOL
BTW, when does Caroline start school? Kids here don’t go back until after Lsbor Day.
August 19th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Robin says:
Next time you’re at a local quick stop getting gas or something, pick up one of those pre-packaged pies, only get the apple. Take it home, put it in the microwave for about 20-25 seconds, then throw a big ole scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of it. Now, that’ll make you push your Granny in the fire.
August 19th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Vikki Kast says:
Well thank goodness it was not the pea coat!! I am thinking Coopertone needs to offer up a spa weekend of sorts to make up for the pain & suffering!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Theresa says:
Caroline looks like she’s right at home in that shark’s mouth. That child has a broad interest range. So cute.
August 19th, 2008 at 7:29 am
uncommonblonde says:
The sunscreen thing happened to me just a few months ago. It was horrible and itchy so I can sympathize.
August 19th, 2008 at 7:29 am
hulagirlatheart says:
Man, I love a prepackaged cherry pie. They’re delicious as long as you don’t read the nutrition label.
And what’s up with pancakes for breakfast while on vacation? It’s a rule, isn’t it?
August 19th, 2008 at 7:31 am
LyndieJo says:
When my oldest son was 16 we went to the Gulf. He thought he was too old for sunscreen and spent a lot of time laying on the sand and letting his sister bury him in the sand. By the next morning he was covered by a rash. Couldn’t have been the sunscreen, cause he never put any on. i think it was the sand.
August 19th, 2008 at 7:44 am
rrmama says:
In the famous words of my youngest child. stinkin’ sun screen! he hates it when I spray that stuff on him. Even though he is so fair skined 5.6 seconds in the sun and he is a crispy as a french fry!
August 19th, 2008 at 7:50 am
PajamaMama says:
I too wondered about your sunscreen after I read your “symptoms.” We can’t use Banana Boat or No-Ad in this house. And then, there are times when I’ve gotten a rash after a beach trip for no apparent reason at all!
Feel better soon!
August 19th, 2008 at 8:00 am
chocolatechic says:
At least it isn’t the coat.
Do you know if you can find a different sun screen? It would really be a shame if you couldn’t ever visit the beach again.
Forget about those nasty pre-packaged pies, eat a brownie instead. Frosted of course.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Kristen says:
I can’t remember how I even got to your blog now….but I found myself LOL….not at your sunburn though - sorry about that.
I have done a ton of research on sunscreen and found the results to be somewhat depressing. Despite the FDA recommending standards for companies more than 30 years ago, they still have not “finalized” them yet and so companies aren’t accountable.
Many companies are terrible offenders including harmful chemical ingredients such as Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) and Triethanolamine.
There are lots of great options and EWG (Enviornmental Working Group) has lots of good info…if you are interested.
Love the blog!
Have a great day.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:05 am
PJ says:
Yikes!! So you are now condemned to shade — or sunburn??? Or can you find sunscreen without that demonic ingredient that ate your skin??? I see you’re getting good advice in the other comments. Me? I have no advice. Just sympathy!
August 19th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Chelsea says:
My kids are horribly allergic to Coppertone, too! Now we use Banana Boat with no problems. The Kids formula is what we all use.
Now that I think about it, I bet my heat rash earlier this summer wasn’t heat rash at all. I’d borrowed some sunscreen and it was probably an allergic reaction. If only I could remember which brand it was so I don’t repeat the same stupid mistake again.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Chelsea says:
It could be an ingredient in the spray formula, too, that we’re allergic to. I sprayed myself like a crazy woman that day.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:03 am
lavonda says:
we love Aveeno apray sunscreen… my son has sensitive skin and it doesn’t bother him. and it smells kinda natural… I like that. and it’s not greasy or pore clogging for the mama.
are those Little Giraffe pillows beside your sleeping angel? we have two and
WE. LOVE. THEM.
we used them as our ring bearer pillows in our wedding, and now they travel with us on road trips. I really need to get some more, since all 5 of us dive for them in the car!
do the math.
it’s not pretty.
so glad to hear you’re not circling the drain anymore!
August 19th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Dana says:
Coppertone? Really? That can only mean one thing: you were out of baby oil with iodine. Pity.
We keep meaning to take the kids down to Port Aransas. I’ve heard there are some way cool vacation rentals available there. We keep not doing it because I can’t seem to refrain from serially breaking major bones (all last summer and fall) and then celebrating wellness by getting knocked up in my 40’s. Look for my book “How To Make the Most of Mid-Life” in a 7-11 near you.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Julie H. says:
I’m just glad it wasn’t flesh eating bacteria. That would have been tough.
Who knew sunscreen could be so toxic?
The trip sounded like a lot of fun.
We can’t go to Port A without a walk through the big shark either.
Take care,
Julie
August 19th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Mari Taylor says:
Well the coat is safe. That’s critically important!
I’ve had those shots for allergic reactions. You did the right thing. Felt like they were scraping my bones with a lathe. No thanks! Just give me pills and ointment. I’ll be fine.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Wanda says:
WHEW!!!! Thank goodness you figured it out! And the pea coat is safe, woohoo!
Nothing junks up fashion more than a horrid allergic reaction!
Praise-a-leuia!!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 9:32 am
life with the wisners says:
so hit me with something. what on GOD’S GREEN EARTH does caroline have on her eyes in that first picture?!
even big h noticed.
“mama, are those goggles? for a propessenal (professional)?”
i don’t know, dude. i’ll ask her mama.
and shame on me, but happy birthday to all the girls in your family and happy anniversary. lucky p.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Shalee says:
You know, a vacation isn’t a vacation without the impromptu visits to either a clinic or a pharmacy. It sounds as if you had all that and more. Maybe since you had to do both on this trip, you’ll get to avoid it on the next one.
And I’m amazed at your gentleness with P. Had it been me, I’d have asked Mr. Right if I could have a bite as I took it out of his hands. Or else he would have been stopping so that I could get some McD’s fries.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:40 am
CarolinaMama says:
These are awesome - is it just me - Carolina has really grown! School or all that fun! Just as cute as ever!
August 19th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Suzie says:
Big Mama…I feel your pain!!!
I’m sitting here with a swollen eye and itchy nose. I can’t really cover my eye. I guess I could but I’m really not into the pirate look, so I have to just leave the eye exposed for all to see. I’m in a Benadryl daze, but still have to go to work, and I have to wear my glasses. Let’s get together and have a pity party. I am miserable! It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Mamasphere says:
Mmm, pancakes, drenched in syrup. That was enough to get me worked up (I’m on a diet), but then you throw in the cherry pie. Double mmm. Guess what I’m having for lunch today? Yep, pancakes and cherry pie. And if anyone catches me, I’m blaming it on you.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Janet (aka JT) says:
Have I told you recently just how gorgeous your family is? Because they are. I’m glad you had a blast at the beach, even if you are now paying for said blast. I just attended the hubby’s 20th high school reunion. I MUST TELL YOU about it at some point. Oh, the fun…oh, the permed mullets and Members’ Only jackets.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Lysa TerKeurst says:
We have prepackaged food issues here in our neck of the woods too.
Only instead of them being filled with cherries and chocolate chips, they are usually things like pork rines and pig’s feet.
Have mercy… keep my people away from the Quick Mart please.
Caroline is just about the cutest thing ever!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Muddy says:
My son (now 16) has long had allergies to sunscreens. The only ones we can even consider putting on him are the baby ones, in particular Coppertone baby. Since I’d rather not have 2 different sunscreens, we just all use it when we need a sunscreen. Hope the rash feels better soon,
August 19th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates says:
All this rash talk is really making me itch right now!
At least you got an answer for it (and lots of good advice here) and something to make it go away!
Hope it’s all better now!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Erin D says:
I feel for you in the freaky post-beach rash department. My sister and I swear by Aveeno sunscreen, and recently I saw that Bert’s Bees makes some too. All-natural, like your cleaner and the Gulf Coast. : )
And I’m making a bee line for the nearest gas station to load up on those pies! Never have I known that something could be push-your-granny-into-the-fire good.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Jen@ODBT says:
I am allergic to paba in sunscreen. Like you, had no idea until I got this huge red itchy hives. Now I spend most of my time covered or under the umbrella. It looks like you still had a great time.
August 19th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Donna says:
Hey! I’m sorry to hear you had such a horrible reaction to the beloved Coppertone. Just the scent of it takes me back to the summer of 1985 on my friend’s family’s boat…good times! Anyway, I have to pass along a great recommendation for sun screen. I have extremely sensitive skin. That’s EXTREMELY sensitive skin - literally Mentholatum under my nose will give me a horrible fever blister, yes, under my nose - quite attractive! Summer before last my dermatologist was raving about a new product from Neutrogena. It is their Ultra-Sheer DryTouch Sunscreen with Helioplex that blocks UVA and UVB rays - which is supposedly unique to that product. Two years ago they had SPF 45, but they’ve upped the ante to 90 this year. I’ve used it for the past two summers and haven’t been burned or found myself covered in a crazy rash once (yes, I can relate!). I can even wear it under my makeup without my makeup melting off my face. Give it a try the next time you are out competing in a sandcastle-building contest! It will do you right!
August 19th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Heidi says:
It’s good to know I’m not the only one who’s husband eats those pre-packaged things from the convenience store.
August 19th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Fran says:
When we were leaving Destin a couple of weeks ago…I thouht the same thing…
Evacuation signs every 20 ft for 200 miles. I think we got it.
That Caroline is just precious!
August 19th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Jackie Sue says:
Sorry again about your rash. I get a rash everytime I go out in the sun. Sunscreen or not. I think it is my Lupus reaction…I’m sorta not supposed to go in the sun AT ALL, but I can’t help it. I’m a Florida girl(at 46, ok 47 in two days, I use that term quite loosely) and I just like a little tanning now and then. Fat definitely looks better with a little tan! The cherry pie phenomenon is active in my dh too. Just makes me laugh. I prefer apple myself
August 19th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
lavonda says:
Hey again,
Donna’s right about the Neutrogena one.
Have it.
Love it.
You won’t know you have it on.
(just don’t go shopping for anything else those weeks you buy sunscreen if you do the Aveeno or Neutrogena products. the spray kind goes so fast, you might need to dip into your escrow account to afford it).
August 19th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
mamalovelock says:
Sorry you are having such a hard time. Hope you get to feeling better soon!!
On the upside it looks like everyone had a good time.
Love Caroline’s swimming attire!!
August 19th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Elaine says:
We were just in Port A. a few weeks ago ourselves and yes, the kids had to have their picture taken inside the shark too. I was so proud when my son mentioned something about Jonah. ; )
Sorry about your Coppertone issues…
August 19th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Amanda says:
I had an allergic reaction to an “eco-friendly” sunscreen at Xel-Ha in Mexico last summer. It was definitely not fun. My face turned bright red and burned like a jellyfish had stung me. I feel for you!
August 19th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Anne N. says:
I have several photos of my kids at that same shark/souveneir spot in Port A! The last time we were down there, the beach was covered in seaweed…it looks like y’all fared much better.
Also..I have had a similar rash, and Prednisone was my friend!
August 19th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Sufficient Grace says:
I have stood inside that shark’s mouth myself!! Hope your rash o’ death is feelng better today! Benadryl cream is a miracle in a tube….
August 19th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Becky says:
“torture in a can”…”or drive staight into the ocean”………you are hilarious!….I am so sorry about your skin!…..you are still coming right?….I scared you off in some way didn’t I?………whatever it was I take it back!
Becky in NC
August 19th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Indiana Keetha says:
You probably get tired of hearing me say this, but I just can’t help it, I’ve gotta say it again - - - - THAT CAROLINE IS THE CUTEST/FUNNIEST little thing ever!!!
Glad you figured out your allergy. Hope the pills/ointment work.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Dawn says:
My husband also has the weird sunscreen allergy! Two summers ago I laughed at him, thinking he was crazy to think that spray sunscreen could give him a rash. This is also the man who is allergic to the whitening agents in toothpaste so I guess rash by sunscreen wasn’t to far of a stretch! We ended up in the Hilton Head Island ER with swollen eyes and lips along with rashes on his legs and feet. Luckily, my boys didn’t inherit this allergy sinco I think the person who invented the spray is a GOD! I HATE lathering up!
Dawn
August 19th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Superchikk says:
That is just crazy. Why wouldn’t it start bothering you when you were slathering it on your body?
Had a similar thing happen with my son a couple of weeks ago - he had an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. THREE DAYS after he was bitten! It swelled up and overtook his entire ankle, necessitating a trip to the Saturday hours at the pediatric clinic in order to calm my Husband down. Who, by the way, was NOT the one with the red, swollen ankle.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Haley says:
You make me laugh out loud. So thanks!
August 19th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Betsy says:
Took the same picture of my kids inside that same shark at Port A. earlier this summer…
August 19th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Rena says:
Ahhhh, the sunscreen.
AT least it wasn’t the beach. Just the stuff to protect you from the sun AT the beach.
You know….until you posted a while back about why you wear the hats in the sun, I just thought, “OHHH, she is just the Fashion Diva, isn’t she?” You ARE the queen of Fashion Friday.
You rock those hats, woman! Makes me want to wear them so I can look like a beach Diva. ;O AND so I don’t have to use as much sunscreen on my lilly white self. Especially Coppertone.
Rena
August 19th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Krista says:
Happy Birthday rather late! We’ve been on vacation and I’m just not catching up on my blog reading!
May I suggest that you check the Environmental Working Group’s website for lists of sunscreen that don’t have nasty chemicals in them?
Also, here’s a good place to look and find a good price on “green” sunscreen.
http://www.thefindgreen.com/
My son got a nasty rash every time we used Coppertone for kids so we went with California Baby unscented sunblock. Best decision ever!
August 20th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Natalie @ I AM (not) says:
The hurricane route is akin to telling an Oklahoman to TAKE COVER when a tornado is coming.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Aubree says:
Fun blog! Sad to hear of your rash! Find yourself some natural sunscreen woman. Try arbonne.com or aveeno or something. Be safe, not rashy!
August 20th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Kelly @ Wisdom Begun says:
Oh heavens. You poor thing!
And you know, I moved to Texas from FL. Boy was it a major let down to see these water and sand mixtures that native Texans call “beaches.” Sigh. I am tempted to put in a call for at least turning the water from uber-brown to slightly less brown. Yuck.
August 21st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Angela says:
“The rest of the way home, I spent my time commenting on the absurdity of all the Hurricane Evacuation Route signs along the way. It makes me proud to see our tax dollars hard at work pointing out common sense. In case of a hurricane you can either drive north or head straight into the ocean.”
Oh my..that’s so true. You’re so funny…
Blessings~
A fellow Texan
August 27th, 2008 at 8:43 am