How To Handle Heat Illness (For Parents)

Summer arrived early in North India, where some cities had already reached the 42 degrees.

If we go by Delhi-NCR’s weekly weather update by AccuWeather, the capital region will be burning at 44 degrees this week.

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Summers can be harsh on kids, and as parents, you need to take every step to keep them safe from the rising temperatures.

At NewsMobile, we have some doctor-verified safety tips to keep your kids safe.

Here are some helpful tips from Dr Ramani Ranjan, Senior Consultant and head of Neonatology and paediatrics at Apollo Cradle and Children’s Hospital, Greater Noida.

How To Prevent Heat Stroke! Keeping Kids Cool: Tips For Parents

Parents often wonder why kids are more vulnerable to heat. But the answer is very obvious and straightforward: Kids are more active and hate to stay indoors even when the sun is shining brightly over their heads. “Children tend to go out in the sun—they have more outdoor activities than adults, which is why they are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Also, thermal regulation is not yet fully developed, so heat-related issues like heat cramps, exhaustion, and heat strokes are likely higher in kids,” explains Dr Ramani.

What Is Heat Stroke? 

Heat stroke occurs when a child’s temperature reaches 105°F (40.5°C) or higher. It requires emergency medical care immediately and can be life-threatening.

Symptoms Of Heat Stroke In Kids

“Heat stroke is a severe type of heat illness when a child’s body creates more heat than it can release. This rapidly increases core body temperature, leading to brain damage if not promptly treated,” says Dr Ramani.

Signs of heat stroke in children may include:

• A body temperature that rises dangerously high, above 104˚ Fahrenheit
• Absence of sweating
• Confusion, disorientation
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Severe headache
• Weakness and/or dizziness
  

Heat Exhaustion Vs Heat Stroke? What Is The Difference?

“Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness (hyperthermia). It occurs when your body overheats and can’t cool down.  Heat exhaustion is a moderate form of heat-related illness that can lead to heat stroke. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke share similar symptoms, like dizziness, nausea and weakness,” says Dr Ramani.

Heat stroke can also develop without warning. However, ensure that your child is not kept in a warm, enclosed area without air conditioning, does not engage in intense physical activities that generate lots of body heat, or does not have enough fluids.

If A Child Has Heat Exhaustion, Here Are Things You Can Do To Cool The Kid Down 

1. Quickly move them to a cool place, under a shade or to a room with an AC.
2. Please remove all unnecessary clothing like socks and change him/her into light colour cotton attire.
3. Hydrate the child. Get him/her to drink water, fresh lime water, or a rehydration drink.
4. Cool the body down. Sponge them with cool water or place ice packs on their foreheads or feet. 
5. Sponging with onion water is highly effective.

Observe for any other symptoms. Otherwise, the child will start to feel better soon.

Treatment For Heat Stroke

“The body needs to be hydrated by IV fluids, and usually, the role of medicines is limited, and the most important thing is to keep the child hydrated and keep him/her in an environment where the body rapidly cools down. Continuous sponging with cold water or bathing under the shower would help to reduce the body temperature. Ensure air circulation in the room is good. Rapid cooling in a supervised medical environment may be needed. Therefore, it’s very important to connect with the doctor soon if any signs of heat stroke appear for prompt treatment,” says Dr Ramani.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure!

• As parents, you can teach kids to keep themselves hydrated by drinking plenty of water during any intense outdoor physical activity.
• Remind kids to look for shaded areas and rest often while outside.
• Apply sunscreen and ensure they wear a hat to avoid getting sunburn.
• Ensure the kids are indoors in the afternoon when the temperature is at its peak.
• Don’t leave kids alone in a parked car.