Eczema
Heat, humidity and sweating can cause eczema, or atopic dermatitis, flare-ups during the summer. What may first appear as a red, itchy rash on shoulders, backs, folds of elbows and backs of knees, may lead to dry, rough and even infected patches of skin if proper care isn't received. Your child's pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist may prescribe a topical medication (such as Elidel® cream or Protopic® ointment), and an oral antihistamine (like Children's Benadryl®), to minimize itching and, consequently, scratching.

Following are tips on minimizing outbreaks:

• Keep your child cool (e.g., with air conditioning, light-weight clothing, etc.);
• Suggest cooler baths or showers;
• Apply a fragrance-free lotion or moisturizer (like Aveeno® or Cetaphil®) to your child's skin twice daily, especially after bathing or showering, to prevent dryness.

Insect bites
Prevent insect bites by using a child-safe repellent. Herrmann suggests you use one containing no more than 6 percent DEET (a common active ingredient), such as OFF!® Skintastic® Family Formula. He also says this about repellents: "I would not get a combination insect repellent and sunscreen. They may not be as effective [as two separate products]."

Dr. Bari Cunningham, a pediatric dermatologist at Children's Hospital and Health Center in San Diego, California, also discourages the use of combination products like this, but she does so for a different reason. She says, "You'll want to re-apply the sunscreen, but you don't want to re-apply DEET. In high concentrations, it can be toxic to a child."

Many pediatricians say that parents should not use repellents on infants under six months of age because the chemicals contained in the products may be absorbed through the baby's delicate skin and cause an allergic reaction. Light-colored clothing and unscented baby care products should provide some protection from bites.

To curtail assaults during outdoor gatherings:

• Light citronella candles or use electronic bug lamps;
• Cover food and beverages and discard left-overs quickly;
• Keep lids on garbage cans and warn your kids to play away from them.

Poison-plant rashes
Poison-plant rashes tend to appear after repeated exposure to the urushiol oil found in poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac plant sap. If an uncovered body part inadvertently touches the leaves, stems or roots of any of these plants, rinse it with cold running water within five to 15 minutes to remove the oil. "Shower within an hour with soap and lukewarm water,” advises Herrmann. If garments were affected, rinse them outdoors with a hose before machine washing them, or secure the items in a plastic bag and throw them away.

While Cunningham advocates the use of over-the-counter anti-itch products (i.e., Caladryl®, CalaGel®, Sarna®, etc.) and Children's Benadryl for relief of symptoms caused by a mild rash, Herrmann usually recommends prescription-strength topical steroids for them. However, for severe rashes, both physicians prescribe an oral medication (e.g., steroids). Be sure to contact your child's doctor to discuss their preferred treatment options.

So, how can poison plants be identified? Poison ivy and poison oak grow in most parts of the country and have approximately three leaflets per stem. They grow as vines in some geographic regions and develop as shrubs in others. Poison sumac also can be found in several different regions, particularly in those containing marshy or swampy areas. It grows into tall shrubs or bushes containing stems with two rows of multiple leaves.

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• Dress children in long sleeves, pants, boots and gloves if they'll be in unfamiliar, woody territory;
• Don't let pets play in wooded areas. Urushiol oil could contaminate their fur -- and your home;
• Stay away from dead poisonous plants; they could still be toxic.