Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion in Children

During the upcoming summer months, it is very important to make sure your child does not suffer from heat exhaustion. You can do this by making sure they are lightly clothed, well hydrated, becoming slowly used to the heat (don’t just randomly go outside for 6 hours one day – do it gradually), take freaquent breaks from playing to cool off and drink cool water, and making sure they are supervised at all times. Heat exhaustion can turn into heat stroke and that can be fatal! How can you tell if your child is heat exhausted? Read on to find out.

Complaining of Muscle Cramps – If your child hasn’t really been playing rough but comes to you complaining of muscle cramps, then more than likey they are dehydrated. Make sure they down plenty of cool water or even gatorade products to keep this from happening, or to treat the cramps they are complaining about. Move to a cool place such as an indoor, air-conditioned room to cool off before returning outside.

Pale, Moist Skin – If you notice that your child becomes pale while playing outside, chances are heat exhaustion is on the way. Feel them to see if their skin is moist

Nausea/Vomiting – Another common sign of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Move to a cool, indoor bathroom ASAP. Give the child gatorade / powerade, or water. Have them remove a layer or two of clothing and place a cool rag on their head. Call a doctor for more reccomendations.

Temperture Exceeding 102º F – If you take their temperture VIA ear and it reads over 102, give them gatorade ASAP! Have them take a cold shower to get their5 body temperture down. If the temperture keeps rising and goes over 104º F, call 911 or take your child to the local ER immediatley. Too high of a temperture can cause brain damage.. Have the remove a layer of clothes, drink lots of cool water, and place cold cloths on the skin. Also, fan the skin with a piece of paper, magazine, or book. I don’t reccomend returning to play if the skin becomes pale.

Fatigue – Children should not get easily fatigued while playing outside. If your child comes to you complaining about being tired all of a sudden, or if you notice a dramatic decline in their play… take them inside for some ice, cold water. Fill them up on water and gatorade and allow them to rest for about 45 minutes before returning to play. If they are so tired that they begin falling asleep, call a doctor for more reccomendations.

Anixety – This is NEVER normal! If you notice that your child is really anxious, take them to an ER immediatly. This is the last symptom before heat stroke comes into effect. Heat exaustion is not something to take lightly!!