Poison ivy and poison oak
Poison ivy and its less common cousin, poison oak, are common causes of distress during the summer months, particularly for campers. Where the leaves contact the body, the skin reacts by producing a red, blistered, itchy rash.
How to treat: If your child comes into contact with an irritating plant, wash his skin with cool water and soap as soon as possible. This will remove the irritating oil, known as urushiol. Since the oil is released on anything with which it comes in contact, your child’s clothes should also be removed and washed. Dogs that have accompanied someone who has come into contact with poison ivy or poison oak should also be washed with soap and water, since their fur will likely be contaminated.
When to seek medical help: If the itching is severe, or the skin is badly blistered, you should seek medical advice as soon as you are able. Skin irritation resulting from exposure to poison ivy and poison oak normally disappears in a week to 10 days.
Painful sunburn
Sustaining a sunburn is a painful and dangerous experience— especially for a child. (Just one sunburn during childhood greatly increases the risk of skin cancer later on in life.) Make sure your child is well protected from the sun by a sun hat, light cover-up and some form of footwear. In addition, he should be wearing a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and preferably keep to shady areas between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
The beach is the single most dangerous place to be in hot, sunny weather as sand and water intensify the burning rays of the sun, causing them to reflect back on the skin. Be extra vigilant if you and your family are spending time on the beach and be sure to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours and always after a dip.
How to treat: If your child has mild sunburn (redness and discomfort but no blistering), make sure she stays well hydrated and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine.
When to seek medical help: If your child’s sunburn is producing blisters, causing a lot of pain, or covers a large area of his body, you should seek the advice of a health professional.