From outdoor sports to family beach outings, summer is definitely jam-packed with exciting activities. But the summer heat can also be a serious threat to one’s health if necessary precautions are not taken, especially in the Philippines, where the effects of El Niño continue to be felt. With heat index at “dangerous level” it is important to protect your child from the danger of heatstroke.
According to WebMD, the warning signs of dehydration are fatigue, thirst, dry lips, lack of energy, and the feeling of being overheated. If kids wait until they feel thirsty before they actually drink, that means that they are already dehydrated. “Thirst doesn’t really kick in until a child has lost 2% of his or her body weight as sweat.”
“A simple rule of thumb: if your child’s urine is dark in color, rather than clear or light yellow, he or she may be becoming dehydrated,” the website advised.
Dehydration can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.
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So before you let your child engage in some outdoor fun, Kids Health lists a few important things to remember to avoid heat-related illnesses:
Heat cramps
These are painful, short-lived muscle cramps that may occur in the arms, legs, and abdomen resulting from the loss of salts and fluids during an intense workout or physical activity.
Heat cramps are not life-threatening, but are warning signals prior to the onset of more serious heat-related illnesses.
Kids are more prone to suffer from heat cramps. You can ease their discomfort by letting them rest in a cool place, letting them drink sports drinks or fluids containing salt and sugar, and massaging cramped muscles.
Heat exhaustion, a more serious condition caused by dehydration, may be signaled by increased thirst, weakness, fainting, muscle cramps, nausea and/vomiting, irritability, headache, more profuse sweating, clammy skin, and rise in body temperature.
The first thing you should do if you suspect your child is suffering from heat exhaustion is to take your child indoors to an air-conditioned room, air-conditioned car, or a shaded area. You should then remove any excess clothing; let him/her drink sports drinks or fluids with salt and water; place a cool, damp cloth on your child’s skin; and call a doctor.
Heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke so be vigilant.
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Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a potentially fatal condition where body temperature can rise to 41.1 degrees C. This can lead to brain damage and death if the body temperature is not promptly controlled.
Heatstroke should be suspected if your child exhibits these symptoms after physical activity in a hot environment: severe headache; weakness and dizziness; confusion; nausea; rapid breathing and heartbeat; loss of consciousness; seizure; absence of sweat; flushed, hot, and dry skin; temperature of 40 degrees C.
Get your child to a doctor right away if he/she suffers from any of the above-mentioned symptoms. While waiting to get to a hospital nearest you or for a doctor to arrive at the scene, you should get your child indoors or to a cool and shaded area; undress your child; drench him/her with cool water. Do not give fluids unless your child is alert and awake.
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What to do if your child shows signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke
- Move your child to a cooler place immediately. Preferably indoors with air conditioning or a shaded, ventilated area.
- Remove excess clothing. Help them cool down by loosening or taking off layers of clothing.
- Hydrate! Give your child cool water or an electrolyte drink—but only if they are fully alert and able to swallow.
- Apply cool, damp cloths on the skin, especially the forehead, neck, and underarms.
- Use a fan or fanning motion to help lower their body temperature.
- Stay with your child and monitor their condition. If symptoms get worse or they begin to lose consciousness, seek emergency help.
When to call a doctor?
Call your doctor or rush to the ER if your child experiences any of the following:
- Body temperature of 40°C (104°F) or higher
- Flushed, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
- Confusion, disorientation, or slurred speech
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Rapid breathing or heartbeat
- Refuses to drink or is vomiting continuously
Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency—don’t wait for symptoms to worsen.
How to protect your child from heatstroke
To avoid heat-related illnesses, the following steps might help:
- Dress your child in cool, light-colored clothes
- Avoid prolonged activity under the sun or in other hot environments
- Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids even when they are not feeling thirsty
- Allow your children to play outdoors only before noon and after 6 p.m.
- NEVER EVER leave your child alone in a car with the air-conditioning turned off and the windows closed.
Let’s make this summer safe and enjoyable for our kids! By staying informed about the dangers of heat-related illnesses and taking proactive measures to prevent them, we can ensure that our little ones can continue to embrace the joys of outdoor activities without compromising their health. Remember, a little precaution goes a long way in keeping our children happy, healthy, and protected. Let’s keep the fun in the sun, but let’s keep it safe too!
Also read: Death of toddler highlights frightening dangers of heatstroke
