Blog Archive
Heat Rash and Heat Exhaustion
Summers are definately fun, but we need to be careful. We need to know how to treat mild cases of heat rash and exhaustion, and when we need to seek immediate help.
Summer is a time for playing outside and enjoying the warm weather. Keeping children from overheating is important when the temperatures outside peak. Temperature regulation in children can be difficult when the temperature outside is greater than skin temperature. Infants and young athletes are at a higher risk than others for heat related illness.
Heat rash and heat exhaustion are two similar, but separate items. Infants sometimes develop a heat rash called miliaria, small red bumps all over the body. It resolves by moving the child into a cooler temperature. Heat exhaustion occurs when the child's core temperature reaches an unhealthy level. Symptoms include fast heart rate, sweating, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, thirst, and passing out. Immediate cooling of the child is needed, plus offering an electrolyte containing fluid (such as Gatorade).
Sometimes when the child is ill enough, they need treatment in a pediatric emergency department. Severe heat exhaustion symptoms to look out for include, but are not limited to, an inability to be woken easily, high temperature (105 degrees or more), confusion, having seizures, or showing signs of shock (cool, weak or grey skin). Or if you think the child's life is in danger, call 911 immediately.
To prevent heat related illnesses, avoid outdoor physical activities during very hot, humid days. Take frequent hydration breaks with cool fluids. Wear loose-fitting, absorbent clothing. Lastly, it may help to talk a few days to get used to the hot, humid weather with repeated, limited exposures. Heat-related illness can be dangerous, but it is preventable, so monitor your children closely while playing outside this summer!
For more information on heat rash, go to https://www.cradlethrucollege.com/Heat-Rash
For more information on heat exhaustion go to https://www.cradlethrucollege.com/Heat-Exposure-and-Reactions-1 Source:
Paul Ishimine, MD. Heat illness (other than heat stroke) in children. www.UpToDate.com
Heat rash and heat exhaustion are two similar, but separate items. Infants sometimes develop a heat rash called miliaria, small red bumps all over the body. It resolves by moving the child into a cooler temperature. Heat exhaustion occurs when the child's core temperature reaches an unhealthy level. Symptoms include fast heart rate, sweating, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, thirst, and passing out. Immediate cooling of the child is needed, plus offering an electrolyte containing fluid (such as Gatorade).
Sometimes when the child is ill enough, they need treatment in a pediatric emergency department. Severe heat exhaustion symptoms to look out for include, but are not limited to, an inability to be woken easily, high temperature (105 degrees or more), confusion, having seizures, or showing signs of shock (cool, weak or grey skin). Or if you think the child's life is in danger, call 911 immediately.
To prevent heat related illnesses, avoid outdoor physical activities during very hot, humid days. Take frequent hydration breaks with cool fluids. Wear loose-fitting, absorbent clothing. Lastly, it may help to talk a few days to get used to the hot, humid weather with repeated, limited exposures. Heat-related illness can be dangerous, but it is preventable, so monitor your children closely while playing outside this summer!
For more information on heat rash, go to https://www.cradlethrucollege.com/Heat-Rash
For more information on heat exhaustion go to https://www.cradlethrucollege.com/Heat-Exposure-and-Reactions-1 Source:
Paul Ishimine, MD. Heat illness (other than heat stroke) in children. www.UpToDate.com
