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Family Health

The Heat’s Enough to Make You Sick
 

By Andrea Reich

We’ve reached those dog days of August when the sweltering heat becomes suffocating for many—and dangerous for others. Heat-related illnesses are no joke and they can happen to anyone. Children need to be watched closely during high-activity times outside because they are extremely susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are two major illnesses related to outdoor activities in the summer. Heat exhaustion can be recognized by headaches, dizziness or light-headedness, weakness, nausea or vomiting, cool and moist skin or dark urine. Heatstroke, which is the most dangerous of heat-related illnesses, can be identified by a fever of 104 degrees or higher; irrational behavior; extreme confusion; dry, hot, red skin; rapid, shallow breath; a rapid, weak pulse; seizures or unconsciousness.

“Remove them from the environment; get out of the sun into the shade or into the air conditioning,” says Dr. Jill Baren, associate professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Remove them from the heat source. If you don’t do that, the rest of the treatments won’t be helpful.”

Once out of the heat, lie down and elevate feet. Apply cool, wet cloths and use a fan to lower body temperature. You can also apply cold compresses to neck, groin and armpit areas. “These areas are where major blood vessels are close to the surface, and therefore cool quickly,” Dr. Baren said. If the person is alert, you can give them sips of a sports drink such as Gatorade, although many times the person might feel nauseous. If a sports drink isn’t available a salted drink made by adding one teaspoon of salt to one quart of cool water will do. Lastly, if at any time you notice any signs of shock such as blue-tinted lips and fingernails, decreased alertness, or the person starts to seizure or lose consciousness, call 911 immediately.

Many times heat exhaustion and heatstroke cannot be differentiated from each other without a medical professional.

 “The real distinguishing feature between heat stroke and heat exhaustion is whether or not your mental status is normal,” says Dr. Baren. “Signs of abnormal mental status in a child can be subtle like confusion, irritability, or unsteady gait, or they can be more serious like hallucinations or coma.”

 There is also a myth some people tend to believe about the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

 “Some people think if you’re sweaty and cool you have heat exhaustion, but if you’re hot and dry you have heat stroke, and that’s not necessarily the case,” Dr. Baren said. “You can be either one with either type of major heat illness.” While heat exhaustion isn’t as urgent as heatstroke, if you can’t distinguish the difference, get medical attention.

A good thing to remember is to stay hydrated in the summer by drinking plenty of water and sports drinks and by avoiding alcoholic and/or caffeinated beverages. You can also wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

Andrea Reich is the associate editor of Curious Parents.