Mom says sunscreen caused second-degree burns to her baby
A mother from Botwood, N.L., believes that her 14-month-old daughter received second-degree burns from a popular sunscreen.
Rebecca Cannon told CBC News that she didn’t have baby sunscreen on hand, so she applied Banana Boat Kids SPF 50 aerosol spray sunscreen to her daughter Kyla.
The packaging claims the sunscreen is alcohol-free, tear-free and offers broad spectrum protection — Cannon says that since it wasn’t really a bright day, she applied it mildly to Kyla’s face, so her daughter could have some protection rather than none at all.
“It didn’t go over well,” Cannon told the CBC. As the day went on Kyla’s face got redder and redder, even though it wasn’t a sunny day.
“The next morning (Kyla) woke up and was swollen, she was bright red, there were blisters starting to pop up,” Cannon said. “We immediately took her up to the doctors and found out she has second-degree burns.”
Cannon notes that her other children have used the sunscreen but her daughter was the only one who had burns. The doctor who treated Kyla allegedly said that there have been other cases of burns caused by sunscreen in some babies — and that it was possible the sunscreen caused a bad allergic reaction that resulted in Kyla’s burns.
According to a recent Facebook post, Kyla is back on track after a hospital trip, although her face is still swollen (she was prescribed an antihistamine cream to help reduce swelling).
“OK so I’m getting many messages and just want everyone to know Kyla is back home after another hospital trip this morning due to extreme swelling but she is doing ok and is in good spirits,” Cannon wrote in her post, before warning consumers to be careful when using aerosolized sunscreen.
ALSO SEE: Forcing your child to eat breakfast is ‘child abuse,’ one expert claims
Cannon has spoken with a Banana Boat representative and the company reportedly asked for the product so it can investigate. In a statement to the CBC they said their products are tested and meet relevant Health Canada regulations.
Cannon says they offered reimbursement for the product, but wishes she was previously aware of the possible risks involving aerosol sunscreen. In 2012, spray-on versions of various Banana Boat sunscreen products were voluntarily recalled across North America after reports that the sunscreen could ignite on the skin when in contact with an open flame or spark.
“I have done a lot of research. Since coming home and have found a disturbing amount of cases like ours. I don’t know why it’s not removed from the shelves,” Cannon wrote in her Facebook post, before sharing stories about others who reportedly suffered “horrific” burns while using Banana Boat sunscreen.
ALSO SEE: This woman’s rash turned out to be a rare form of breast cancer
Just one of many I have found :'( .. why do they refuse to take it off the shelves ?? ]]>😭
