KEEP THEM COOL THIS SUMMER

Small children are very vulnerable to heat related illnesses and dehydration. But even teens and adults need to know about these conditions. Although prevention is the best key to avoiding this all together, in case it happens, it’s good to be prepared and to learn to recognize the signs and symptoms.

Our bodies create a tremendous amount of internal heat. We normally cool ourselves by sweating and normal heat loss through the skin. But if it’s very hot or humid, or if a child has been playing or exercising vigorously in hot weather, this natural cooling system may begin to fail, allowing internal heat to build up to dangerous levels. The result may be heat illness, which can come in the form of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke.
Three heat related illnesses:

It’s important to recognize what’s happening.

HEAT CRAMPS are the least serious. From excess sweating you lose salt and fluids and the low levels of salt cause the muscles to cramp. Children are very susceptible to this if they haven’t been drinking enough during the game or exercise. Treatment is cooling off, drinking replacement drinks ( sports drinks) and massaging painful muscles.

HEAT EXHAUSTION This is more serious. It occurs when you are exposed to a hot climate (increased temperature and humidity) and have not had enough fluids.

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS:
• dehydration
• fatigue
• weakness
• clammy skin
• headache
• nausea and/or vomiting
• hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
• irritability

What to Do for Heat Exhaustion:
• Bring your child indoors or into the shade.
• Loosen or remove your child’s clothing.
• Encourage your child to eat and drink.
• Give your child a bath in cool (not cold) water.
• Call your child’s doctor for further advice. If your child is too exhausted or ill to eat or drink, intravenous fluids may be necessary.

Now if you do not recognize and treat heat exhaustion, it can lead to Heatstroke, which is the most severe heat illness and can be life threatening.

HEATSTROKE
This is a medical emergency ( a 911 call) The body has lost the ability to regulate temperature and body temperatures can soar to 107 or above. This can lead to brain damage or death. Heat stroke occurs usually when a person is overdressed, in a very hot climate, doing exertion or play and not drinking enough fluids.

CALL FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP if your child has been outside in the sun exercising for a long time and shows one or more of the following symptoms of heatstroke:

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS:
• flushed, hot, dry skin with no sweating
• temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 degrees Celsius) or higher
• severe, throbbing headache
• weakness, dizziness, or confusion
• sluggishness or fatigue
• seizure
• decreased responsiveness
• loss of consciousness

While waiting for help:
• Get your child indoors or into the shade.
• Undress your child and sponge or douse him or her with cool water.

AND MOST IMPORTANT:
DO NOT GIVE FLUIDS. WAIT FOR MEDICAL HELP!

Cooler Air and Several Ounces of Fluid equals An Ounce of Prevention

• Teach your child to always drink plenty of fluids before and during an activity in hot, sunny weather - even if he or she isn’t thirsty.
• Make sure your child wears light-colored loose clothing.
• Make sure your child only participates in heavy activity outdoors before noon and after 6 PM.
• Teach your child to come indoors immediately whenever he or she feels overheated.

« Previous: Pool Safety-Preventing a Tragedy