Dr. Amy Lacroix in Midtown is seeing a lot of patients with Eczema. Eczema looks like a rash and can flare up when a child has been exposed to an allergen or sweaty skin conditions. the best thing you can do is to use an unscented, thick cream and moisturize often...some good options are Aquaphor, Eucerin or Vaseline. Just remember creams work better than lotions and lotions work better than ointments.A topical steroid like Hydrocortisone can help with the itching. If that doesn't work, your pediatrician can prescribe something stronger. Dr. Lacroix encourages kids to pat, not scratch the skin that's bothering them. Children under six months with Eczema should be seen by their doctor.

In Millard, Dr. Carey Ertz says Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac are causing big problems for kids. Your child has probably touched one of the plants if: There is an area of skin with very itchy streaks or patches of redness and blisters or your child gets a rash one or two days after being in a field or forest-like conditions. Her advice? Wash the skin with soap, soak the affected area in cold water or massage it with an ice cube for about 20 minutes as necessary - and apply steroid creams four times a day to reduce the itching. If the rash still itches give Benadryl to age appropriate children every six hours as needed. Call your doctor if the itching gets worse, the skin looks infected - resulting in pus or yellow scabs or the rash longer than two weeks.

With school less than a month away, doctors are busy making sure kids are healthy for the start of a new year. Dr. Robert Beer in West Omaha reminds parents now is the time for students to get those physical exams and immunization updates done. The exams are required for kindergarten, seventh grade and any student new to the district. Each district has its own forms and requirements, but most include an immunization update and health history form completed by the student or parent before seeing the doctor. The doctor reviews the information- along with any health concerns - then performs a head-to-toe physical exam. Vision and hearing screens are also done. Sports specific testing is included in sports participation physicals.

New this year? A required second Chicken Pox vaccine. Doctors may also recommend a Meningitis booster for kids over 16 and an HPV vaccine for girls over 9.

In Bellevue, Dr. Steve Sindelar says a good, old-fashioned summer cold is making the rounds there. Symptoms include congestion, runny nose and cough.some children are developing a fever. Because this all comes from a virus - antibiotics will not make a difference. He recommends Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen to keep the fever in check - along with plenty of fluids. Most kids get better on their own. If your child's cough is persistent or if the congestion seems to get worse see your doctor... and remember, the longer the cold hangs on, the more chance of an ear or sinus infection.