Protect and treat your family’s skin from bites and itching

Warm days mean picnics, ballgames and outdoor adventure. Unfortunately, all that sun and fun can introduce a greater risk of skin woes for you and your family.

“Whether you’re playing catch in the backyard or pitching a tent in the woods, you can help prevent certain issues from occurring, and if they do, be prepared by having a remedy on hand that can offer your family instant healing and relief from itching, burning and discomfort,” says Dr. Angela Lamb, dermatologist.

With that in mind, here are some tips to prevent and treat the itch and irritation of the season:

Cover Up

More bare skin means more risk for bug bites and stings, and exposure to rash-causing plants such as poison ivy and poison oak. When possible, wear long sleeves and pants. Loose-fitting, light colors can keep you cool on warmer days, even when covered up. When you get home, check clothes for ticks before heading inside.

Be Aware

Be savvy outdoors and teach your family to avoid poison ivy, oak and sumac. If you spend time in areas where these plants grow, cover up and avoid contact. When you get home, be sure to wash skin and clothing that may have been exposed to the sap of these plants.

Ensure your yard drains properly during and after rain and empty kiddie pools and other standing water. Proactive steps such as these will prevent mosquitoes from making your yard a breeding ground.

Treat Ailments

Even with preventive measures in place, bites, stings, scrapes and allergic reactions do happen. Make sure you’re prepared to treat discomfort.

For bites and stings, Dr. Lamb recommends a counterirritant such as After Bite, which stops itch and offers a skin protectant for temporary relief and faster healing. The kids’ formula is a gentle alternative for young ones or anyone with sensitive skin. Both contain soothing baking soda and offer an easy-to-apply, portable remedy for bites from a wide variety of insects.

For instant and permanent relief from itching and pain associated with hives, rashes and redness, insect bites, minor scrapes, and allergic reactions from poison ivy, oak and sumac, Dr. Lamb recommends a new steroid-free anti-itch product for the whole family called The Itch Eraser. It is offered in a maximum strength gel and spray with antihistamine as the active ingredient, or a sensitive cream formula with baking soda for those who have sensitive skin. All three contain Vitamin E and Tea Tree Oil to heal and moisturize the skin while reducing redness and inflammation.

So, get the bikes dusted off, the baseball mitts oiled and the camping gear out of the garage -- family fun this season is all about taking advantage of the outdoors. But don’t let skin irritations get in way of your good time! Take precautions and arm yourself with treatments for all your skin problems.