Swimming dries kids' skin out and frequently makes eczema flare. The answer is to grease up after swimming. Many kids have trouble when sweating – generally we have them try more glycerine-based materials (such as Aquaphor®).
Peyton Eggleston, MD
Baltimore, MD

The biggest problem my daughter faces in the summer is sunscreen. Every waterproof sunscreen stings her rashy skin. Neutrogena makes a sun stick designed for faces that has worked well. Lately, I have resorted to swimsuits made out of SPF 100 fabric. I get them from a company called "Sun Solutions" on Cape Cod. This company makes a full-length suit in fun colors. She loves it. It actually keeps her cooler than a regular suit because once it is wet, her whole body stays cool.
Nanci Shepardson
Princeton, MA

My peanut/tree nut allergic son used to get terrible eczema on his back and arms. I tried to just keep a shirt on him for his back and upper arms. It wasn't until recently that I learned that sunblock can cause problems. A friend swears by Neutrogena® sunblock for her children with allergies and highly sensitive skin.
Julie Forrest
Waldwick, NJ

Mosquito bites: My oldest son and I are both sensitive to mosquito bites. The best thing I have found is Nelsons Sting Gel if applied immediately after the bite is discovered. It seems to diminish the impact and length of healing time required. It doesn't sting as much as other ammonia-based products and he doesn't protest as much.

Cutting the grass: It took me an entire summer to realize that if I just wash my face after cutting the grass I don't get swollen around the eyes.

Mango season: I love those champagne mangos – the bright yellow ones. Unfortunately I discovered that they don't like me. I believe it is the oil on the skin that causes the problem. When I allowed others to peel the mangos for me, I was able to enjoy them without the rash.
Bonnie McIntyre
Alexandria, VA

AANMA NOTE: Mangos are a member of the sumac family, which includes poison oak and poison ivy. The mango tree's branches, trunk and unripe fruit skin contain a natural bug repellent that acts as an irritant to some. If you're sensitive, ask someone else to peel the fruit, or carefully cut the fruit away from the rind before eating.

The only sunscreen that does not cause my son to break out in hives is Estée Lauder Oil-Free SunSpray. It is often difficult to find in department stores but we can order it online.
Cathy Emhof
Alexandria, VA

My older child, Noah, has problems with almost every skin lotion and develops hives from most skin products. Avon's Skin-So-Soft seems to affect him the least.
Laurel Fried
Jericho, NY

After swimming…take a thorough shower to wash off any chlorine, then lock the moisture in by putting on a good body cream within three minutes. I use 3in1 Body Lotion by IMS.
Cindi Shea, RN, BA, AE-C
Beckley, WV