Did my child get sunstroke?
We are experiencing increasingly hot summers and often very strong UV radiation. Feeling sick from heat is nothing new, but it is still good to pay extra attention to children, as well as ourselves and our family members.
When on vacation, we try to relax completely and take advantage of the few days we have, even if it's a heat wave or very hot. However, it's good to be careful and organize our days properly so that our relaxation isn't spoiled by an unexpected illness that can also affect and endanger the child.
There are several symptoms that can be caused by prolonged exposure to the sun and low fluid intake. It's good to know these so that we can differentiate them and even notice them as soon as possible. The most important thing is prevention. But how?
Our article is basically about sunstroke in children, but we also mention similar ailments because it is important to see all the signs, even the smallest ones. We also write about their symptoms so that they can be more easily recognized if necessary.
Summer heat can make you feel sick
Most often, sunstroke, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration can be caused by not taking enough care of yourself and your children. There is a lot we can do to prevent this, and we can basically avoid the problem by waiting until the heat has passed and only then taking the children outside, with adequate fluids and a summer hat. Don't take your children to the beach right before noon!
Pay attention to the first symptoms! If your child indicates that they are hot, perhaps more lethargic, or not feeling well, take this seriously and take them to a cooler place. Often, it is enough for them to continue playing in a shady place where the temperature is noticeably lower.
What causes sunstroke?
When the uncovered head is exposed to sunlight for a long time, the scalp can overheat and a mild inflammation of the meninges can occur. This condition appears relatively often in the summer in children and adults, often among beachgoers. This is because we usually spend more time there, often without shade, and we can forget about caution in the cloudless fun.
The first symptoms of sunstroke often don't appear until hours later.
Symptoms of sunstroke in a child:
- complains of headaches, younger children may grip or rub their heads
- dizzy
- seems weak
- you have nausea, maybe you have vomited
- the baby seems fussy or uninterested
- refuses food
- you may have breathing problems
- may have a fever
- skin is red and warm
- if the problem is more severe, loss of consciousness may occur
What should we do on site?
Their first task is to assess the child's condition. Is their breathing normal, is they fully conscious? If they seem confused, observe how well they can respond to their surroundings or to us. What is their skin like? Is it sweaty or hot?
If the symptoms are severe, call an ambulance immediately. Take the child to a cool place, apply a cold compress to the forehead, and give him/her adequate fluids.
Babies should always be taken to a pediatrician who will examine everything in detail and make an accurate diagnosis. This is also recommended for small children!
Sunstroke can lead to serious conditions, so the child requires constant monitoring even in milder cases.
Source: Semmelweis.hu , Webbeteg , RMC Clinics
Other heat-related illnesses
There are several symptoms that we may have difficulty distinguishing from each other, as they often overlap. But it is good to know them, because it makes it easier to identify the specific problem and, if necessary, to tell the doctor what we are experiencing in our child.
Heat exhaustion
It develops due to heavy sweating and water and salt deficiency. Its symptoms include dizziness, high pulse and headache.
Heat stress
When we sweat and lose fluids in a heatwave, we must also remember that in addition to water, minerals are also lost from our bodies. If we do not replace these salts, concentration problems and stress can develop in the body.
Heatstroke
In the case of heatstroke, heat loss is hindered. When sweat cannot evaporate, for example because the humidity is very high or the body heats up in clothing that is too tight, a high pulse, nausea, vomiting, dry lips, and sweating may develop.
Thermal collapse
Fainting due to heat is caused by a momentary disruption of blood circulation in the brain. It may also be accompanied by seizures in children.
Heat stroke
It can become a life-threatening condition when the body is unable to dissipate heat and metabolic processes are disrupted. The skin is cool, pale, the pulse is high, and there is no sweating. The first symptom is the rising body temperature. The skin is flushed, warm, and dry. The heartbeat is rapid, and breathing may become rapid. Confusion may occur, even progressing to unconsciousness. An ambulance should be called immediately and the child's body should be carefully cooled with lukewarm water.
Source: Familynet , Semmelweis.hu
Dehydration
The loss of fluid and minerals in the body leads to dehydration. Children can dry out faster than adults. In more severe cases, this can be life-threatening. At this point, the child is no longer moving, weak, cries weakly, and has little, thick urine, and their eyes are sunken. Their mucous membranes are dry. In babies under one year of age, it is also worth examining the well, because its sunkenness also indicates a lack of fluid.
Newborns are still very sensitive
Babies are not yet able to properly regulate their own body temperature until they are 6 weeks old. They are also unable to adequately compensate for the effects of the environment.
What we should pay close attention to!
Babies should not be exposed to the sun. Even young children who are constantly on the move should only be exposed to the sun with skin protection, a summer hat, and drinking adequate amounts of fluids, but never for long periods of time. They should rest a lot in the shade.
Source: Semmelweis News
Let's pay conscious attention to our children's clothing in the summer. Just like us, they feel the same way when they are hot. There are several aspects to consider when dressing your baby in the summer , which you can read about in detail in our previous article.
Let's plan our entertainment consciously! It is not recommended to be outdoors in the summer heat or during the heat wave between 11 am and 3 pm. When traveling by car, air conditioning is now essential. Put sunshades on the windows so that the radiation does not hit the child directly.
Make sure your little one is in the shade as much as possible, and that the sun doesn't directly hit their head. Their head should always be covered. This is also the case if you accidentally forgot their hat at home.
Give your child enough fluids! In the summer heat, it is necessary to replace electrolyte losses with other types of fluids in addition to water. Fruit juices, milk, formula, lemonade, organic teas, salty soups, and lightly salted tomato juices are suitable. You can choose from children's drinks that naturally contain carbohydrates.
Never leave a child in the car, not even for a minute, in the shade! Although we might think that the air conditioning has cooled the passenger compartment sufficiently, and we are only going to pop into the store for a moment anyway, this can be very dangerous. Whatever happens, we lose track of time, and the air in the car heats up in a few minutes, reaching over 50-60 degrees. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition and develops when the body temperature exceeds 40 degrees.
