Signs of Heat Exhaustion

I don’t know about you but I’m loving the slightly cooler weather!

Babies and young children are more vulnerable to the heat so it’s important to keep an eye on them in this hot weather. Symptoms can develop very quickly so here are 5 things to know about heat exhaustion/stroke:

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Signs of heat exhaustion to look out for include: headache, dizziness and confusion, restlessness and irritability, loss of appetite and feeling sick, fewer wet nappies, excessive sweating with pale and clammy skin, muscle cramps, fast breathing/pulse, temperature greater than 38C and intense thirst.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

If your child has heat exhaustion get them to lie down in the shade or a cool room, drink plenty of water, cool their skin with a fan, and sponge them down. Stay with them until they are better. They should cool down and feel better within 30 minutes, if they don’t seek urgent medical attention.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke which is a life threatening condition – seek medical attention immediately if your child has signs of heat stroke: not sweating even though they are hot, a temperature above 40C, dry mouth and eyes, rapid shortness of breath, confusion, becoming sleepy and floppy or unresponsive.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

To prevent heat exhaustion: give plenty of fluids, give cool baths or showers, wear light loose clothing, avoid the sun between 11am-3pm, and you can sprinkle water over their clothes or skin to keep them cool.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Never leave your child alone in a parked car, even if the air-conditioning is on. Heat stroke can occur within minutes in a car where temperatures rise much higher than the outside temperature.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀