Summer Skin

By Nora Heston Tarte

Warmer weather brings different skin issues that affect our kids. Find solutions to some of summer’s biggest skin issues below.

Preventing a sunburn.

The biggest culprit of nasty sunburns is incorrect sunscreen use. Even with the best intentions kids can end up with peeling, aching burns. Be sure to follow sunscreen protocol and re-apply every two hours (more often if you’re swimming or sweating). Also make sure application happened 15 minutes before going into the sun. Don’t forget spots, either. The hair part and ears can burn easily.

Treating a sunburn.

Start treating the burn as soon as it’s noticed. Apply a soothing lotion like aloe vera to the burn (keep it cool in the fridge for extra comfort) or a cold compress. If your child is in pain, offer Tylenol or another over-the-counter pain reliever. Staying hydrated can also help. In most cases sunburns resolve themselves in two to seven days.

Dry skin.

The Central Valley can certainly get dry, which can cause dry, itchy skin. In some cases this occurs all over. In other cases a condition such as psoriasis or eczema may cause small, itchy patches to pop up. Keep skin moisturized by using hand lotion throughout the day and a lotion after every bath or shower. Wet skin lotion works great for many as it’s applied before drying off and is designed to lock moisture in. Oatmeal baths—try a combination soak such as Spinster Sisters Co.’s Eczema Relief Soak—can help relief dry itchy skin.

Poison ivy.

Talk about itchy skin! Summer activities like camping and hiking can bring you closer to poison ivy. Remember the catchy phrase: leaves of three, let them be! Identifying what poison ivy looks like and teaching your kids to steer clear is the best way to prevent this rash. If it happens, immediately wash with rubbing alcohol or warm, soapy water to reduce the likelihood and severity of the rash. If you have IvyX on you or can get to a drugstore fast, this product can help prevent the rash-causing oil from penetrating the skin. Once the rash comes, treat the itching with oatmeal baths, cold compresses, cortisone creams, and calamine lotion. It should clear up in one to three weeks.