Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when you can't sweat enough to cool your body. It can develop when you work or exercise in hot weather and don't drink enough liquids to replace the fluids you lose from sweating a lot. Heat exhaustion can be caused by loss of fluid (dehydration) or loss of electrolytes.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Also, the skin is pale, cool, and moist.
Mild heat exhaustion may sometimes cause fainting. But it doesn't cause a change in your mental alertness and usually can be treated at home.
Moderate to severe heat exhaustion can sometimes lead to heatstroke, which requires emergency treatment.
How can you care for your child's heat exhaustion?
- Limit your child's activities, and make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Your doctor will give you instructions on when your child can resume a normal schedule.
- Have your child stay in a cool room for at least the next 24 hours.
- To replace fluids, give your child rehydration drinks and juices that your doctor recommends. Drinks such as sports drinks that contain electrolytes work best, because they have salt and minerals. Your child needs salt and minerals as well as water.
To prevent heat exhaustion
- Have your child drink plenty of fluids.
- Have your child drink plenty of water before, during, and after physical activity. This is very important when it is hot out and when your child does intense exercise or sports.
- During hot weather, have your child wear light-colored clothing that fits loosely and a hat with a brim to reflect the sun.
- Have your child limit or avoid strenuous activity during hot or humid weather, especially during the hottest part of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are more likely to develop when your child is active in hot weather. Humidity makes hot weather even more dangerous.
- Cars can get very hot inside. Open the windows or turn on the air conditioning before your child gets in.
- Try to keep your child cool during hot weather. If your home is not air-conditioned, seek an air-conditioned place. That could be in the library, a neighborhood cafe or a friend's home.
- Spray your child with a cool mist. Give your child a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
- Be aware that some medicines can raise the risk of heat exhaustion. Ask your doctor whether any medicine your child takes raises the chance of getting heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child feels very hot and:
- Has a seizure.
- Appears to be confused.
- Has skin that is red, hot, and dry.
- Passes out (loses consciousness).
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child cannot keep fluids down.
- After returning to normal activities, your child has symptoms of heat exhaustion, such as sweating a lot, fatigue, dizziness, or nausea.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child does not get better as expected.
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