Keeping it Cool: Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses in Kids

by Lindsay Hutton

With summertime right on the doorstep, most kids are looking forward to sunshine and outdoor activities. And while many parents are well-versed on the importance of sunscreen and skin protection, another warm weather danger is often overlooked -- heat-related illnesses. Children and the elderly are most susceptible to these illnesses, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 300 people die annually from excessive heat exposure in the United States.

The three types of heat-related illnesses are heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Heat cramps are the least serious of the three, and consist of muscle pains or spasms in the arms, legs, or abdomen that usually occur during strenuous activity. The CDC believes they are most likely caused by low salt levels in the muscles due to excessive sweating, but can also be a sign of heat exhaustion.

Heat cramps do not always require medical attention. The CDC offers the following tips to treat your child if he is suffering from heat cramps:

• Stop all activity and sit in a cool place.
• Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.
• Gently stretch or massage the affected area.
• Do not return to any strenuous activity for a few hours, even after the cramps subside. Doing this can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Seek medical attention if the cramps do not subside in one hour or if the victim has heart problems or is on a low-sodium diet.

Heat exhaustion usually develops as the result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures combined with inadequate hydration. The body loses moisture and salt through sweat, and heat exhaustion is the body's response to unbalanced fluid replacement. The CDC lists symptoms of heat exhaustion as:

• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness, headache, or fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cool, moist skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Fast, shallow breathing

If heat exhaustion is left untreated, it can progress to heat stroke. To avoid this, the American Red Cross (ARC) recommends the following treatment:

• Move the individual to a cool place.
• Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool wet clothes (such as sheets or towels soaked in water) to the skin.
• Have the victim sip half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
• Monitor the individual for any changes in his condition.
• Seek medical attention if the symptoms are severe, worsen, or if the victim has high blood pressure or heart problems.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation and occurs when the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to regulate its temperature. A person suffering from heat stroke may have a body temperature as high as 106 ° F. Other symptoms vary but may also include:

• Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness

If heat stroke is suspected, seek medical assistance immediately and take the following action as recommended by the CDC:

• Get the victim to a shady area.
• Rapidly cool the victim using whatever means possible. Examples include immersing him in a tub of water, placing him in a cool shower, spraying him with cool water from a garden hose, or, if the humidity is low, wrapping him in a cool, wet sheet and fanning him vigorously.
• Monitor body temperature and continue to cool the victim until his body temperature drops to 101-102 ° F.
• If medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
• Do not give the victim fluids.

The easiest way to keep from becoming sick in the heat is to avoid the outdoors in extreme temperatures or during the time of day when the sun is the hottest. The ARC offers the following additional tips to stay healthy in the summer heat:

• Change your activity level according to the heat.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Dress appropriately for the environment.
• Drink large amounts of fluids before, during, and after activity.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends water as the best fluid for children to drink to stay properly hydrated. Sports drinks often contain unhealthy amounts of sugar and caffeine and can do more harm than good.

It is important to remember that heat-related illnesses can be fatal. For more information on symptoms and treatments, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the American Red Cross.