Sunscreen in School?

NurseBeans, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 15, 2017

Anyway, I totally get why parents say no on med lists. Before I became the school nurse I said no to all meds at school. I didn't know the school nurse and if she was going to flub up med calculations or if she was reliable at all. Now that I'm here I sometimes get frustrated when parents say no to meds and a simple Tylenol or Advil would be all it takes to get their student through the remainder of the school day. But, still, I get it. I've been in their shoes. With time, many have become more trusting in me and my judgement as they've realized I will communicate with them on everything.

It's funny you should mention this. When my daughter went to another school, and before I was a school nurse, the school allowed teachers to give band aids, hydrocortisone, and cough drops in the classroom. I said yes to band aids but no to hydrocortisone and cough drops. My daughter is prone to strep and I could just imagine her eating cough drops all day and the teacher not thinking twice about the sore throat. Also hydrocortisone? That really belongs in the nurse's office. My children no longer go to that school but I do know the school nurse, and can't imagine why she allows this.

I guess if you consider that my own kids have issues with sunscreens and I have to carefully pick and choose which brands I use, it makes sense to hold off on applying to students. Any one of them could have a reaction.

Amethya · May 15, 2017

I call for everything myself I will put on a child, and also most of the allergies are all on the database, so I have no problem there, but I always ask before I apply something. The teachers are responsible for the sun screen stuff they have to do in field trips and such, and I am allowed to give lotion, but no hydrocortisone.

Wuzzie · May 16, 2017

I am one of those odd people who developed an allergy to SPF late in life. Yet it only affects my face. Even kissing my kids who have been lathered causes itching, swelling of the lips. Fun times.

Ummmmm, no snark intended but SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor" and is a measurement of the penetration of UV rays into the skin. Not sure and allergy to a measurement is possible. I found this list of the typical chemicals used in sunscreen. It might be helpful for you to narrow it down to which chemical you are actually allergic to.

"Active ingredients in sunscreens come in two forms, mineral and chemical filters. Each uses a different mechanism for protecting skin and maintaining stability in sunlight. The most common sunscreens on the market contain chemical filters. These products typically include a combination of two to six of these active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. A handful of products combine zinc oxide with chemical filters."

Source EWG.org

Enjoy your summers all you great school nurses!

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · May 16, 2017

I have it, but it only comes out for two days at the end of the year. Those two days are our last field day, a full day spent at a local park in the blinding sun with little shade, and another day with our middle school splits up and spends a day at the beach and the other grade goes to an amusement park.

But my sunscreen is back-up only and I have parents fill out medical field trip forms that include sunscreen permission. I have a couple of bottles of the hypo-allergenic stuff. Kids (we are talking older kids) self-apply, squirt from the bottle must be done by the teacher into the student's hands. I can't police that, of course.

One year, however, a teacher wrote to our parks service and they donated hats and small, individual bottles of sunscreen for these days. No way could I afford individual bottles. It was a nice surprise.

I have many kids where sunscreen is a luxury there family just can't afford to spend money on. Call me a rebel.

OyWithThePoodles, RN · May 16, 2017

Okay, well whatever it is, sunscreen, chapsticks, lips swell and get tingly. Allergy.

Wuzzie · May 16, 2017

Okay, well whatever it is, sunscreen, chapsticks, lips swell and get tingly. Allergy.

Yes and it would be really good for you to figure out what it actually is that you are allergic to in order to avoid any potential severe allergic reactions in the future and since allergies tend to run in families your kids might get sensitized too. That's why I provided the list for you and any other sensitive folks. Sorry if you took it poorly, you seem to be a tad offended. :unsure:

RobbiRN, RN · May 16, 2017

Your allergy interests me. I've experienced congestion and watering eyes with several products. I told my dermatologist: "I don't trust the stuff. I think someday we're going to find out that sunscreen is more harmful than the sun." She laughed. "You're the first patient who ever said that to me, but you may be right. We started with two chemicals. Now we're up to eight, and we have no idea what these really do to people long term." This wouldn't be the first cure to come along that is worse than the disease. Of course the studies are funded by those who make the products so . . . we'll see.

OyWithThePoodles, RN · May 16, 2017

Yes and it would be really good for you to figure out what it actually is that you are allergic to in order to avoid any potential severe allergic reactions in the future and since allergies tend to run in families your kids might get sensitized too. That's why I provided the list for you and any other sensitive folks. Sorry if you took it poorly, you seem to be a tad offended.

I wasn't offended. I avoid chapstick (other than my Avon because all others cause the reaction) and sunscreen to my face and I don't have reactions. But thank you for providing the list.

ProperlySeasoned · May 17, 2017

My kid's school requires hats anytime they are outside. Works wonders, and hypoallergenic!

caliotter3 · May 17, 2017

In extended care home health, we have sunscreen added to the 485 signed by the MD. All topicals, even lip balm (chapstick) have an order for them. If you have the doctor's note/order, then you are covered.

RNGummy40 · May 17, 2017

Yes sun screens are regulated by the FDA. They are considered an OTC. Below is the link to the FDA regulations. In addition, individualized states may include their own regulations. In Washington State a parent's child experienced a significant sun burn due to the fact that their child was not wearing any sun screen on a class field trip. The school did not have a permission slip to apply the child's sun screen, sad case.

I agree that the issue of a potential allergic reaction could occur. As an intervention, I would recommend any school use one specific sun screen instead of multiple sun screens to avoid an unknown source of an reaction. Another issue related to using sun screen in schools is which forms may or may not be allowed. I would hope that all schools avoid using sun screen sprays because if another child is an asthmatic that could cause another medical concern.

Questions and Answers: FDA announces new requirements for over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen products marketed in the U.S.

Washington state lawmakers push to let kids use sunscreen in school | The Seattle Times

More states allow sunscreen at schools without doctor's OK - ABC News