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In the hot summer, sunscreen spray has become a "sunscreen magic weapon" for many people because it is easy to use and has a cool feeling. However, if used improperly, it will also affect your health. Recently, there have been incidents in many places where citizens accidentally inhaled sunscreen spray, resulting in "white lungs", chest tightness, shortness of breath, and vomiting. Some citizens were even admitted to the ICU for a time.

How does sunscreen spray cause "white lung"? How should citizens use sunscreen spray safely in their daily lives? Nandu's "Zhuhai Big Health" column recently visited the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Zhuhai and invited relevant experts to give an introduction.

Expert interpretation

Denatured ethanol, butane and other ingredients in sunscreen spray

May cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis after inhalation

It is understood that "white lung" generally refers to the manifestation of severe pneumonia under X-ray or CT examination, where the patient's lungs appear as a large white state. Such patients may experience symptoms such as dyspnea and respiratory failure, and may even have other organ dysfunctions, which are life-threatening.

Liu Jing, director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at the Fifth Hospital of Zhongda University, introduced that infection and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage syndrome are the most common causes of "white lung". Clinically, it is more common in the elderly, people with low immunity, a history of chronic diseases or multiple co-existing diseases. However, some young people do develop allergic pneumonia due to the improper use of sunscreen spray or dry hair spray, which in turn causes "white lung".

Liu Jing said that some ingredients in sunscreen spray and dry hair spray, such as denatured ethanol, butane, isobutane, etc., if inhaled into the lungs, may cause large-scale white lesions in the lungs, namely "white lung". "For young patients with no history of respiratory diseases, if they feel lung discomfort after inhaling sunscreen spray, this may be due to an allergic reaction caused by inhalation of sunscreen spray, leading to pulmonary edema and acute allergic pneumonia."

Disposal measures

If you accidentally inhale sunscreen spray in your daily life

See a doctor as soon as possible and stay away from other irritating chemicals

Ma Han, director of the Department of Dermatology at the Fifth Hospital of Zhongda University, said that sunscreen spray should be used in ventilated areas and mainly sprayed on the body, keeping a distance of 10-20 cm from the skin; do not spray directly on the face, avoid the eyes, mouth, nose and other parts, and still pay attention to holding your breath to avoid accidental inhalation; do not spray or apply on wounds, redness, swelling, eczema and other areas with skin abnormalities.

If citizens accidentally inhale sunscreen spray and feel unwell, they should immediately stop using the spray, keep it away from their body, and call emergency services or go to the nearest medical institution for treatment.

For emergency treatment measures, citizens can help clear foreign objects from the respiratory tract by coughing or patting their backs, but do not try to expel chemicals from the body by inducing vomiting, which may further damage the respiratory tract and esophagus. In addition, citizens should try to avoid contact with other irritating chemicals to avoid aggravating symptoms or causing other complications.

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What precautions should be taken when using sunscreen spray?

1. Do an allergy test before use

Before using for the first time, you can apply a small amount of sunscreen spray behind the ears, inside the elbows and other parts for a skin test, and then use it after making sure there is no discomfort. If allergic reactions or other physical discomfort occur, stop using it immediately and go to the hospital for treatment in time.

2. Not recommended for children

According to the "Technical Guidelines for Children's Cosmetics" issued by the China Food and Drug Inspection Institute on August 31, 2023, "It is not recommended for children to use spray-type sunscreen cosmetics. If it must be used, the risk of inhalation should be fully considered, and similar warning terms such as 'Do not spray directly on the face' and 'Avoid inhalation' should be marked in the instructions for use."

Children's development in all aspects is not yet complete, their breathing control ability is weak, and their minds are not yet fully developed. When using cosmetics such as sunscreen spray, it is easier for them to get into their noses, mouths, and eyes, causing health risks. If it is necessary to use it, parents can spray the product on the palm of their hands and then apply it to the child's skin.

3. Keep away from fire

Sunscreen spray contains flammable and volatile liquids such as ethanol, butane, and isobutane. If it is not handled properly or encounters an open flame during use, it is very likely to cause a fire. Avoid direct sunlight when storing it and keep it away from fire, heat sources, static electricity, impact, etc. when using it. Do not puncture the product or used empty cans or throw them into fire.

Produced by the "Zhuhai Big Health" column

Coordinator: Southern Metropolis Daily reporter Wang Jinghao

Research team members: Zhang Jingsong, Zeng Kuida, Wei Ruijia