Pediatric Eczema & Allergy Care in Hilo & Across Hawaiʻi — Medicaid (QUEST) Accepted

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common, itchy skin condition in children, and it often travels with allergies and asthma as part of what doctors call the “atopic” tendency. It can be frustrating, but it is very manageable with the right skin care and treatment. At Ohana Care Clinic in Hilo, we help calm your child’s skin and manage allergies.

What eczema is

Eczema is a condition in which the skin barrier does not hold moisture well and reacts easily, leading to dry, red, intensely itchy patches, often on the cheeks, arms, and behind the knees. It tends to come and go in flares, frequently runs in families, and is commonly linked with allergies and asthma. Scratching makes it worse and can lead to infection, so calming the itch is a key goal.

How we treat it

The foundation, as the American Academy of Dermatology emphasizes, is gentle daily skin care: regular moisturizing to repair the skin barrier, lukewarm baths, and avoiding irritants. For flares, topical anti-inflammatory creams calm the skin, and we step care up or down based on severity. We also look for triggers, including allergies, and treat allergic symptoms when they are part of the picture. For stubborn or severe eczema, newer treatments are available.

The whole-child view

Itchy skin and poor sleep can wear on a child’s mood and a family’s patience, and visible skin differences can affect a child’s confidence. Because we care for the whole child, we treat the skin and pay attention to sleep, comfort, and how your keiki is feeling. Much of this care works well by telehealth, sometimes with a photo of the skin.

Culturally grounded care

We care for the whole child, in the spirit of lōkahi — balance and harmony among the connected parts of life: the body, the mind and emotions, the spirit, the ʻohana (family), and our relationship with the ʻāina (land) and community. In a Native Hawaiian understanding of health, these are not separate, and neither is our care. To mālama (care for and protect) your keiki and to raise them pono (in balance and rightness), we listen to your family’s story, welcome your ʻohana into every visit, and honor the values and traditions that ground you. Offering kōkua (help given freely, with aloha) in a way that respects your family is at the heart of how we practice.

Insurance and how we see your keiki

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaiʻi QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), ʻOhana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance, and we are accepting new pediatric patients in Hilo. Your child’s first primary-care visit is in person at our Hilo clinic. We see children in person for well-child exams, vaccines, and hands-on care, and we use telehealth for follow-ups and questions. Pediatric behavioral health with our mental-health providers can begin by video; care from our primary-care team starts with an in-office visit.

Common questions about eczema and allergies

What is the most important treatment for my child’s eczema?

Gentle daily skin care is the foundation: frequent moisturizing to repair the skin barrier, lukewarm baths, and avoiding irritants, as the American Academy of Dermatology emphasizes. Topical anti-inflammatory creams are added for flares.

Will my child grow out of eczema?

Many children’s eczema improves as they get older, though some continue to have sensitive skin. In the meantime, good skin care and treatment keep it well controlled and comfortable.

Are eczema and allergies related?

Often, yes. Eczema, allergies, and asthma frequently occur together as part of the ‘atopic’ tendency. We look for and treat allergic triggers as part of managing your child’s eczema.

What insurance do you accept for pediatric care?

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaii QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, HMSA, Ohana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance. We are accepting new pediatric patients in Hilo.

References

American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Atopic dermatitis clinical guideline. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.aad.org/member/clinical-quality/guidelines/atopic-dermatitis

Papa Ola Lōkahi. (n.d.). Native Hawaiian health. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.papaolalokahi.org/

This page is general health education from Ohana Care Clinic, reviewed by Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and written by George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP. It is not a substitute for a personal evaluation by a qualified clinician who knows your child’s situation, and reading it does not create a provider–patient relationship. If you are worried about your child’s health, reach out to us or another licensed provider. In an emergency, call 911.

Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP — President & Owner