Summer is here and we tend to enjoy mild temperatures or warm weather; however, it can get hot really quickly and we must be careful to prevent heat illness. Let’s look at heat-related illnesses and what to do to treat heat stroke in children or how to act quickly in case we realize a child is suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Heat-related illness

Heat-related illnesses happen when a person is exposed to high temperatures for an extended period of time. The higher the temperature, the less time is necessary before the person experiences a heat-related illness. The core body temperature is raised and heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop rapidly.

Sunburn and heat cramps are also heat illnesses; however, due to their seriousness, we’ll focus on heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Let’s look at the differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke in children.

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that first appears after heat exposure.

The main symptoms of heat exhaustion are:

Headache or dizziness. When the core body temperature starts to rise, the first symptoms are more easily perceivable in the brain. Identifying these symptoms in older children is much easier, because they can communicate. When a child cannot express how she feels these first symptoms will most often manifest as tiredness or weakness. The following symptoms of heat exhaustion will help you identify heat exhaustion in younger children.
Sweating. A child with heat exhaustion will sweat profusely as the body tries to cool down the skin – its biggest asset in trying to keep the core body temperature down
Cool skin. As a direct consequence of the sweat, the skin feels cool and even clammy
Rapid heartbeat. Due to rapid water loss, the blood volume is reduced. Therefore, the heart needs to keep up, to serve the organs that are starting to feel the rise in temperature
Nausea and vomiting. This happens because the body is trying to get rid of non-essentials, so it can give maximize attention to essential organs
Muscle cramps. Muscles are non-essential when a person is suffering any heat illness. Because their water/electrolyte levels are unbalanced, the muscles start to get heat cramps.

Heat stroke

When the child is suffering from heat exhaustion and is not removed from the heat source the heat illness will advance into heat stroke.

Heat stroke is a condition where the body absorbs or produces more heat than it can release.

The symptoms are:

Elevated body temperature. When the person has been too long in a hot environment, the body temperature rises. It will keep rising if the person is not removed from the heat source
Red, hot, dry or damp skin. The skin stops receiving water, as sweat cannot be produced by a dehydrated body. It might be dry or damp, depending on when the body stopped sweating or whether moisture has been retained in the clothes the child is wearing
Fast, strong heartbeat. Because there’s a lack of water in the blood, the heartbeat can be felt very strongly. The heart keeps beating fast, making its greatest effort to keep the body functioning as well as possible
Nausea. The body keeps retching, trying to remove any solids or acids that might make use of any precious water
Confusion. Because the brain is severely dehydrated, the child is confused and could even pass out.

If you’re worried about an infant or a toddler suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, these BellyBelly articles will help you:

Heat Stroke In Infants | 3 Tips For Hot Weather

Heat Stroke In Toddlers | 3 Tips For Hot Weather

How long do heat stroke symptoms take to show?

If you suspect your child might be experiencing heat stroke, don’t waste time. Act immediately, even if you think the child has been left in a high-temperature environment for a very short time.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency that needs medical attention as soon as possible. Pay attention to any warning signs, despite the length of exposure to heat.

The time that heat stroke symptoms take to show varies a lot, as there are many factors to consider:

The temperature of the space the child was in
The size of the space
The clothes the child is wearing
The child’s health condition before the heat exposure.

Can a child get heat stroke indoors?

Everything is possible in scorching weather.

The previous factors mentioned above, plus the misconceptions about babies and children’s temperature needs, can cause a child to suffer heat stroke indoors.

The first heat wave I remember as a professional was when I was a student midwife. I was in the postnatal ward, where mothers wore cool clothes but some babies were fully dressed, with mittens and blankets on.

We must be aware of a baby’s temperature needs, especially in very cold or very hot weather and when there are rapid temperature changes.

Treatment for heat exhaustion and heat stroke

The moment you suspect your child might be suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, pick up the child and take her away from the heat source. Remove excess clothing and leave the greatest possible amount of body surface exposed, to release excess body heat fast. If you cannot make the place cool enough, a cool bath or even cool clothes on the skin will help cool the skin.

When the child is in a cool place, you need to replenish the lost fluids. Cool fluids, preferably a glass of cool water, will help bring the temperature down fast. Once the temperature has come down, proper hydration will then be best achieved by giving the child room-temperature fluids.

If the child doesn’t respond fast to these actions call emergency services straight away. Remove all clothing from the child (leave on just a nappy or underwear), then remove your top and place the child’s skin to skin-with you. Skin-to-skin is the most effective, natural way to regulate body temperature, whether it is low or high.

Try to stay cool and have positive thoughts while your child is being taken to the health facility. Talk to your little one and trust that recovery will happen soon. Research has shown that children’s health is optimal when positive-thinking parents raise them.

If you are lactating, even if breastfeeding a younger sibling of this child, offer your breast to your child.

Tips for hot summer weather

As we all know, prevention is much better than any treatment. Here are 4 health tips for keeping children cool on hot days.

Heat Stroke In Children Tip #1. Natural, light-colored clothing

During hot weather, the skin is at its busiest keeping the body cool. Although light-colored fabrics will reflect the sun away instead of absorbing it as dark colors do, natural fabrics will help the body much better, by managing sweat and creating cool areas as the clothes move.

Hemp, cotton, bamboo and linen are very good materials for hot-weather clothing.

Heat Stroke In Children Tip #2. Avoid the hottest periods of the day

Be prepared for peak hot hours. Stay indoors, with air conditioning on, if available, or in a place where air circulation is maximized. Playing water games is also a perfect way to stay cool during the hottest hours.

Heat Stroke In Children Tip #3. Make sure children drink plenty

To make sure children are well hydrated, despite the heat and any physical activity, have plenty of fluids at reach. Fill up sippy cups and glasses with cold water and make sure to leave them within reach.

Heat Stroke In Children Tip #4. Make water your ally

Drinking plenty of water will definitely prevent the child from getting a dry mouth or even dry skin but, once you’ve got the hydrating station set up and running, you can organize fun activities playing with water.

Water balloons, water guns, fountains or hoses are great when you’re in a hot environment. They will also give the children an opportunity to explore, have fun and be messy.

Just make sure you check on everyone every so often. Enjoy the hot days!