Heat exhaustion in children: Overview
Heat exhaustion occurs when your child is hot, sweats a lot, and does not drink enough to replace the lost fluids. Heat exhaustion is not the same as heatstroke, which is much more serious. Heatstroke can lead to problems with many different organs and can be life-threatening.
After medical care for heat exhaustion, limit activity while your child recovers.
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.
Caring for yourself when you have mild heat exhaustion
When recognized in the early stages, mild heat exhaustion, can be treated at home. Here are some things you can do to cool down and treat your symptoms.
- Stop your activity.
- Get out of the heat.
Get out of direct sunlight. Lie down in a cooler environment, such as shade or an air-conditioned area. Prop up your feet. Take off all unneeded clothing.
- Cool down.
Use cool compresses, or have a fan blow on you. Place ice bags under your arms and in your groin area, where large blood vessels lie close to the skin surface. This will help you to cool down quickly.
- Drink fluids.
Drink rehydration drinks, juices, or water to replace fluids. Drink 2 qt (2 L) of cool fluids over 2 to 4 hours. Total rehydration with oral fluids usually takes about 36 hours. But most people will start to feel better within a few hours.
- Get some rest.
Rest for 24 hours, and keep replacing fluids with a rehydration drink. Rest from any strenuous physical activity for 1 to 3 days.
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.
©2011-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated