Be careful where you apply some sunscreen sprays; avoid open flames or you may risk the applied areas catching fire, giving you a serious burn, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA has reports of five separate incidents where people applying sunscreen sprays near sources of flame suffered burns that need medical treatment. The specific products used in these cases have since been recalled, but you must still exercise precautions with the spray.
"Based on this information, we recommend that after you have applied a sunscreen spray labeled as flammable, you consider avoiding being near an open flame, sparks or an ignition source," Narayan Nair, M.D., a lead medical officer at FDA, said in a news release.
Many sunscreen sprays contain flammable ingredients, commonly alcohol, found in other products, such as hairspray and insect repellants. According to the FDA, many flammable products contain a warning against use near an open flame.
"You should never apply a product labeled as flammable while you are near a source of flame. In the five incidents reported to FDA, however, the burns occurred after the sunscreen spray had been applied," the FDA said in a news release. "The ignition sources were varied and involved lighting a cigarette, standing too close to a lit citronella candle, approaching a grill, and in one case, doing some welding."
The incidents suggest the possibility of catching fire, even if you've given the sunscreen enough time to dry on your skin. No children were involved in the reported burn incidents.
However, these reports should no prevent you from using sunscreen to protect yourself from harmful UV rays emitted by the sun.
Lydia Velazquez, Pharm.D., an FDA expert on sunscreen and other skin-related products, said in a news release, people should "absolutely be using a sunscreen product before venturing out in the summer sun."
"Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. To decrease this risk, regularly use a sunscreen with a Broad Spectrum SPF (Sun Protection Factor) value of 15 or higher," the FDA said. "And other sun protection measures including: limiting time in the sun, especially from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and wearing long-sleeve shirts, pants, hats and sunglasses."
