Has my child got sunstroke

Our summers are getting warmer and UV levels can be very strong. Feeling unwell in the heat is nothing new, but it is worth paying extra attention to children – and to ourselves and other family members.

On holiday we try to switch off and make the most of a few precious days, even when it is scorching. Still, it pays to be cautious and plan your days so a sudden spell of heat related illness does not spoil things or put your child at risk.

There are several problems that can arise from long periods in the sun and not drinking enough. It helps to know the signs, so you can tell them apart and spot them early. Prevention is most important. So how do we do that.

This article focuses on sunstroke in children, and also mentions similar heat related illnesses, so you can recognise even subtle signs. We cover the symptoms to make them easier to identify if they crop up.

Summer heat can make children unwell 

If we are not careful, the most common issues are sunstroke, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and dehydration. We can do a lot to prevent these and largely avoid trouble by waiting out the hottest hours and only heading outdoors afterwards, with plenty of fluids and a sun hat. Try not to take children to the pool or beach in the hours just before midday.

Be alert to the first signs. If your child says they feel hot, seems listless or has no interest in activities, take it seriously and move them to a cooler place. Often simply playing in the shade where it is noticeably cooler is enough.

What causes sunstroke 

When an uncovered head is exposed to direct sun for a long time, the scalp can overheat and the membranes around the brain can become mildly inflamed. This picture often appears in summer in children and adults, especially among beach and pool goers who spend longer outdoors, sometimes without shade, and forget to be cautious in the fun of the moment.

The first symptoms of sunstroke may not appear until hours later.

Sunstroke symptoms in a child:

• complains of headache; younger children may hold or rub their head

• dizziness

• appears weak

• nausea or vomiting

• an infant may be fussy or seem uninterested

• refuses food

• may have breathing difficulties

• may have a fever

• red, hot skin

• in more serious cases, loss of consciousness can occur

What to do on the spot

First, assess your child’s condition. Is their breathing comfortable. Are they fully responsive. If they seem confused, check how well they respond to you and their surroundings. What is their skin like – sweaty or very hot.

If symptoms are severe, call 999 straight away. Move your child to a cool place, place a cool damp cloth on the forehead and offer plenty of fluids.
Babies should always be seen by a doctor, who will examine them and make a diagnosis. This is advisable for toddlers too.

Sunstroke can lead to a serious state, so close monitoring is needed even in milder cases.

Other heat related illnesses 

Some symptoms can be hard to tell apart because they often overlap. It is worth knowing the main types so you can identify the problem and, if needed, describe clearly to a doctor what you have observed.

Heat exhaustion 

Develops with heavy sweating and loss of water and salts. Symptoms include dizziness, fast pulse and headache.

Heat stress 

In a heatwave we sweat and lose fluid, but also minerals. If we do not replace salts as well as water, the body can struggle, leading to poor concentration and a sense of stress.

Heat retention (impaired heat loss) 

Heat loss is blocked. If sweat cannot evaporate – for example due to very high humidity – or the body heats up in tight, non breathable clothing, symptoms can include fast pulse, nausea, vomiting, dry lips and heavy sweating.

Heat syncope (fainting) 

Fainting due to heat is caused by a brief problem with blood flow to the brain. In children it can occasionally be accompanied by a seizure.

Heatstroke 

A life threatening emergency where the body can no longer shed heat and metabolism is thrown off. Signs can include cool, pale skin with a fast pulse and no sweating – or, more typically, the temperature rising, flushed, hot, dry skin, rapid heartbeat and fast breathing. Confusion can develop, progressing to unconsciousness. Call 999 immediately and begin gentle cooling with lukewarm water.

Dehydration 

Loss of fluids and minerals leads to dehydration. Children get dehydrated faster than adults, and severe cases can be life threatening. A dehydrated child may be unusually still, weak, cry without many tears and pass little, dark urine; eyes can look sunken. In babies under one, a sunken soft spot can also point to fluid loss.

Newborns are especially sensitive 

Until about 6 weeks, babies cannot regulate their body temperature well and cannot counter the environment’s effects effectively.

What we should pay close attention to 

Do not sunbathe babies. Energetic toddlers should be in the sun only with skin protection, a summer hat and plenty of fluids, and never for long. Make the most of shade.

Be mindful of summer clothing. Children feel the heat just as we do. There are several factors to consider when dressing a baby in hot weather – see our earlier article for details.

Plan activities consciously. In hot weather and heatwaves, it is best not to be outdoors between 11 am and 3 pm. Use air conditioning in the car in summer. Fit a sunshade to the window so rays do not fall on your child directly.

Keep your child in the shade where possible and avoid direct sun on the head. Make sure their head is always covered – even if you accidentally left the hat at home, improvise a cover.

Offer plenty of fluids. In hot weather it can help to replace electrolytes from time to time as well as water. Depending on age and diet this might include diluted fruit juices, milk, formula, homemade lemonade, herbal teas, lightly salted soups or lightly salted tomato juice. You can also choose children’s drinks that naturally contain some carbohydrate.

Never leave a child in a car, not even for a minute and not even in the shade. Even if the air con has cooled the car and you plan to nip into a shop for a moment, it is extremely dangerous. Anything can delay you and the air inside a car can heat up in minutes to 50–60 °C. Heatstroke is life threatening and can develop when body temperature rises above 40 °C.

Sources:

NHS — Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

 NHS — Sunscreen and sun safety.