Here is a growing collection of Frequently Asked Questions that crop up on a regular basis.
 

• Sunscreen
• Making Wet Wrap Garments
• Epipens
• Chocolate and Confectionary

Sunscreen:
What to Use for Itchy Kids?????

It’s a question I get asked about a lot. So here are some information links to get you started.  Remember that the sun ‘down under’ is stronger than ‘up and over’ so when (if?) you are researching this topic you need to go for NZ or Ozzie research.  

Speaking of research-the tricky bit is deciding on using a Mineral or a Chemical sunscreen. I’ll let you do your own research on this but just want to say that there is a difference on how these two types work and how they look and feel when applied. The cosmetic issue with mineral sunscreens is that they are thick and leave the skin looking white. To address this some mineral sunscreens are made with nano particles and are therefore easier to apply and don’t leave the white sheen BUT it has been suggested that nano particles may be harmful.

 New ideas on the most effective and the least harmful sunscreen will change over time as new research is carried out and new products hit the market. Keep your eyes and ears open and check if the source of your info is reliable, after all it is a product that makes some big companies some BIG money. 

If your child is under the care of a specialist physician or nurse you should discuss with them what they recommend specifically for your child as the effects of sunlight on eczema skin may vary from one itchy kid to another. 

The only advice I would like to give is to patch test the sunscreen on your child first before using. You may even be able to get a sample size or a free sample from the retailer. Explain your situation and you may be offered a squirt out of a clean tester to take home to trial. If there is one thing we itchy kid parents don’t need, its more tubes of lotions and potions that can’t be used cluttering up our already bulging cupboards!

If you have any information to add to what I have gathered here please feel free to contact me so that I may add it and share it with the Itchy Kids Community. 

Cancer Society NZ information sheet on sunscreen
http://www.cancernz.org.nz/assets/files/docs/info/Informationsheets/IS_sunscreen_Dec07.pdf
 

Article on what’s in sunscreen.
http://dermatology.about.com/cs/skincancers/a/uvbabsorb.htm

National Eczema Society UK Sunscreen Fact Sheet http://www.eczema.org/Factsheet_Sunscreens_Ingredients_List_-25_05_10.pdf

National Eczema Society UK Eczema and the Sun http://www.eczema.org/Factsheet_Eczema_and_the_Sun_25_05_10.pdf

Cancer Society of New Zealand suncare and other products
http://www.cancernz.org.nz/products/sunscreens/
 

Weleda- children’s sunscreen.
http://shop.weleda.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=9886 
 

Ego- Sunsense range.
http://www.ego.hk/category.aspx?id=4&lang=e
 

Nutrimetics - Sunscreen Creme for Children & Sensitive Skin.
One place that you can buy this product on-line Kumfy Kids NZ. This link lists the ingredients.
http://www.kumfykids.co.nz/catalog/sunscreen-creme-sensitive-skin-p-2013.html 
 

Rosacea Care. I found this when searching the internet. I’ve not seen or tried it personally. Worth a read and gives a very comprehensive list of ingredients.
http://rosaceacare.com/products/sun.html
 

Soleo-Sunscreen. Not sure when this info was posted on this site. Here is some of what it says and the link to the page.  “Firstly for those that have not heard there has been a major shake up in the Sunscreen world as the several Natural Sunscreen brands including Weleda and Dr Haushka have pulled their sunscreens off the market. Due to new regulations in Europe eliminating Titanium Dioxide as a sufficient enough UVA blocker.”
http://www.organicdirect.co.nz/organics-resource-details.php?resourceID=342
 

Mustela-Baby Sunscreen
http://www.mustelausa.com/baby_sunscreen.html
 

Allergy Pharmacy a New Zealand on-line shop that specialises in allergy products. They stock a range of sunscreens for allergy and sensitive skins.
http://www.allergypharmacy.co.nz/

Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen
http://www.neutrogena.com/category/sun/wet+skin.do

Making Wet Wrap Garments:
How to do it.

It is  possible to make your own Wet Wrap garments using Tubifast tubular bandages. For detailed instructions contact us.

Epipens:
About them and where to get them