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Practical Parenting: It’s Red and It Itches

August 8, 2025
Practical Parenting header

As summer brings more outdoor fun for our kids, it also brings a new set of challenges for their skin. From the sun and sweat to bugs and plants, summer can cause a variety of rashes and skin conditions. Understanding how to identify, prevent, and treat common summertime skin issues can ensure your child stays comfortable and protected. Here’s what every parent needs to know. 

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac 

One of the most common rashes during the summer months is caused by poison ivy, oak, or sumac. These plants contain an oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, red rash. The rash usually appears within hours or up to 24 hours after exposure. It can spread in a linear fashion from where the oil touches the skin. 

How to Prevent It:

  • Dress your child in long sleeves and pants when playing outdoors in areas where poison ivy may be present.
  • After exposure, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water for at least 10 minutes. Don’t forget to scrub under your nails, as the oil can get trapped there. 

How to Treat It:

  • Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to ease the itching.
  • Cool baths with oatmeal are soothing.
  • Oral antihistamines, like Claritin or Zyrtec, can help reduce itching and swelling. 

Bug Bites 

Mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects can cause uncomfortable bites, leading to redness, swelling, and itching. While ticks can cause Lyme disease, mosquitoes tend to cause temporary local reactions. 

How to Prevent It:

  • Apply insect repellents containing DEET on children over 2 years old but avoid using it near the face or hands.
  • Wear light-colored clothing, as bright colors and sweet scents can attract bugs.
  • Check kids daily for ticks, especially after they’ve been outside. Don’t forget to check underarms, groins, and behind the ears. 

How to Treat It:

  • Use hydrocortisone or calamine lotion for itching.
  • A cool bath with oatmeal or a compress can also help soothe the area.
  • Tea tree oil can provide relief for mosquito bites.

If you see a tick on your child, remove it immediately using tweezers. If the tick has been attached for over 24 hours, consult a doctor. A one-time dose of antibiotics (doxycycline) may be prescribed for children over 8. 

Eczema 

Eczema (or atopic dermatitis) can be a challenge year-round, but it’s especially prevalent in summer due to sweating and exposure to the sun. Children with eczema often experience itchy, dry, red patches, commonly in skin folds like the elbows, behind the knees, and on the neck. 

How to Treat It:

  • Apply a petroleum jelly-based moisturizer like Aquaphor right after bath time.
  • Limit soap usage—use gentle soap like Dove and avoid over-washing.
  • Consider using over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream for flare-ups. 

Heat Rash 

Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, occurs when sweat gets trapped in the skin’s sweat glands. This results in small, red, itchy bumps that are often found in areas where clothing rubs against the skin. It usually resolves on its own after cooling down. 

How to Prevent It:

  • Dress your child in loose, lightweight clothing to allow sweat to evaporate.
  • Keep your child cool and dry and avoid tight clothing. 

How to Treat It:

  • For relief, use cool compresses and avoid heavy lotions. 

Understanding these common summer skin conditions and taking the right preventive steps can keep your child safe and comfortable. Always remember to consult your pediatrician for guidance, especially when symptoms are persistent or worsen.

Related Providers
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Theresa T Nguyen, MD
Theresa T Nguyen, MD

Pediatrics

GBMC Health Partners

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