A Manitoba mother believes a type of Banana Boat sunscreen is responsible for a burn and blisters on her 10-year-old son’s face.

Samantha Cyr tells CTV News she put the sunscreen on her son Aiden’s face Friday morning on his way to the pool.

Cyr said hours later she noticed a red mark on his face. As the hours passed, she said the mark got progressively worse before it began to blister and cause swelling around his eye.

“It was really bothering him, burning, itching,” said Cyr in a phone interview from her home in Pine Falls, Man. “The doctor said not to touch it. The next day he basically couldn’t open his eye.”

Cyr said she was told by the doctor the marks were a burn, possibly a chemical burn, which may have been caused by the sunscreen.

“It would freak me out if I used it on a three or six month old,” she said. “He’s 10 years old, and look what it did.”

Cyr said she wasn’t aware of any previous complaints about Banana Boat products before she put the sunscreen on Aiden.

“If it is not recalled and it’s on the shelf you assume that the product is safe, not cause this type of reaction,” she said.

Cyr said she plans to file a complaint with Health Canada.

Four days after the initial mark, Cyr said the swelling around her son’s eye has gone down, but the other side of his face has started to flare up. She said he’s taking several medications, including antibiotic eye drops.

“It blows me away that it is still on the shelf,” she said.

STATEMENT FROM BANANA BOAT CANADA

“Banana Boat sunscreens fall within a neutral pH range, which means they are safe for human skin, topical use and cannot cause chemical burns, which are sometimes mistakenly linked to personal care products or confused with sunburns,” said Banana Boat Canada in a statement to CTV News.

“For some people, their sensitivity to an ingredient can be triggered or exacerbated by the sun. This type of photoallergic reaction can result in an exaggerated skin rash or sunburn. In more severe cases, blistering may also develop. We suggest consumers carefully test the product before use or consult their physician in advance if concerned about the possibility of sensitivity to certain ingredients.”

The company said it takes every consumer complaint seriously and safety is the number one priority.

“It is worrying whenever a child or adult has an unpleasant product experience and we have been working, along with Health Canada, since early May to understand the recent complaints shared by some consumers.”

202 COMPLAINTS TO HEALTH CANADA

Health Canada said in a statement it is looking closely into the situation with Banana Boat sunscreen products.

“As of July 17, 2017, Health Canada had processed 202 reports involving Banana Boat as the suspect product. The majority of the reports have been received in the past two months,” the agency said in a statement emailed to CTV News Monday.

“Health Canada is reviewing the adverse reaction reports, along with other sources of information, to confirm or rule out a potential association between the reported health concern and the product.”

Health Canada said the Department is following up with the company, Edgewell Personal Care Canada, regarding any complaints of serious burns and obtained samples from the company and complainants, and conducted its own testing to identify all drugs present, whether they appear on the label or not.

Banana Boat Canada said it takes a number of steps to ensure that our products meet all Health Canada requirements, and will continue to work with the agency.

“We recommend that consumers always read the label and check the list of ingredients before use. It is also important to follow product label instructions: use only as directed and reapply frequently, at least every 80 minutes after swimming or sweating and always after toweling. Do not use on damaged or broken skin, discontinue if a rash occurs and consult a health care practitioner before using on children less than six months of age.”