From the end of March to the beginning of June, heat stroke cases pile up in hospitals. A recent analysis has shown that heat exhaustion in kids can sometimes be extremely severe. Kids usually don’t recognize the effects of the heat, as this can lead to heat illnesses. Not only children, but also athletes should be aware of the heat.
Keeping children protected during the hot summer holidays can be a daunting task for many parents. Generally, children love to play outside, as it boosts their mental and physical health to a maximum extent. Spending time outside is alright, but summer seasons pose many threats to children.
If they are not properly hydrated, wearing appropriate clothes, and taking the required rest at regular intervals, they might expose themselves to heat illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. In this blog, let’s learn what heat exhaustion is and how to recognize heat stroke symptoms so you can keep your children protected.
What is Heat Exhaustion in Kids?
Heat exhaustion is one of the most common heat illnesses. It occurs when the body gets too hot and can’t cool down by itself. Heat exhaustion is the result of your body overheating and losing excess water and salt, mostly through sweating. It occurs when you stay too long in a hot environment or work out on a hot, humid day. For example, when kids play outside or adults work in a factory during a heat wave.
Heat exhaustion is one of the three main heat-related conditions. The other two are heat stroke, which is the most serious one, and heat cramps, which is the less serious one. These three conditions are basically the three stages of heat illness, as one can lead to another.
What Are The Signs Of Heat Exhaustion In Kids?
Before the heat stroke signs, children usually show symptoms of heat exhaustion and cramps. It occurs when their body loses too much salt and fluid through sweat after playing or doing activities in the excessive temperature, and becomes dehydrated.
The signs of heat exhaustion in kids are
- Cool, clammy skin even in the heat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness, dizziness, and fainting
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive thrust
- Irritability
- Body temperature ranges from 100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Muscle cramps
- Headache
- Goosebumps
Children who are sick, have sunburn, are obese, and take certain medications are highly vulnerable to heat exhaustion. Be aware of the above signs of heat exhaustion in kids, because in the future, it might develop into heat stroke. If you notice your children with these symptoms, then you must:
- Take your kid to a shaded, cool place like buildings or vehicles with air conditioning facilities.
- Make them drink cool beverages that contain salt, such as sports drinks.
- Put a cold or wet sponge or towel on the surface of your kids’ skin.
- If your kids have muscle cramps in their arms, legs, or abdomen, give them a gentle massage or stretch.
If your kids cannot drink fluids themselves or seem to lose consciousness, then seeking immediate medical attention from the best child hospital in Coimbatorewill be inevitable.
Do Children Get Fever Due to Heat Exhaustion?
Yes, due to heat exhaustion, kids might have a mild fever, but in some cases, the fever could be severe. When their body gets overheated and cannot cool itself down, heat exhaustion occurs. Usually, kids with heat exhaustion have a body temperature of around 100 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 37.8 to 40 degrees Celsius. Apart from an overheating fever, the other notable symptoms are excess sweating, nausea, dizziness, damp skin, and fatigue.
But, on the other hand, when your kids’ body temperature exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit, heat stroke occurs, which is way too serious. Heat stroke may accompany hot, dry skin, confusion, and sometimes cause blackouts.
What Are The Available Treatments for Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion in kids can be treated by hydrating, cooling down the body, and checking for symptoms of heat stroke. The sooner the body of your kids cools down, the higher the chances of heat stroke being prevented. But you still need to visit the best child doctor in Coimbatoreto ensure the prevention of heat stroke progression.
In case the signs of heat exhaustion in kids have not improved, follow the tips below:
1. Limit Physical Activity in the Heat
Make your children play in the evening when the sun is partially down or during the cooler hours of the day.
2. Keep Children Hydrated
You need to encourage your kids to drink sufficient water, more than usual, to reduce the heat. You can also offer them their favorite fruit drinks to help them intake more fluids.
3. Dress Properly
Make your kids wear vented and loose-fitting clothes to allow air to circulate against their skin so that sweat evaporates and cools down their bodies.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this blog helps you understand how kids get a fever from heat exhaustion, its symptoms, and treatments. Whenever the hot months are near, it is vital to be cautious of the risks related to heat exhaustion and fever for your kids. Make sure you are aware of all the symptoms, take precautionary measures, and understand how to respond during an emergency. Because when it comes to kids, no parent wants to take a chance.
