Summer Safety: Preventing Kids From Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a serious condition that anyone from your infant to your grandmother can develop. It typically happens during the hottest months of the year when kids are the most active. You know that your child needs protection from the sun to prevent sunburn, but you also need to be wary of the heat. It's more than uncomfortable. It's dangerous.

Heatstroke is the worst form of heat condition that your child can suffer from. It requires immediate medical attention. Heatstroke that goes untreated can lead to a rapid decline in brain function and ultimately, death. The heart, kidneys and muscles are also affected, according to the Mayo Clinic. When the weather is very hot, whether kids are at play or not, parents need to keep an eye out for signs of heatstroke and take preventative measures against it.

Causes of Heatstroke

The Mayo Clinic lists two primary causes of heatstroke.

• Prolonged exposure to heat - No matter how inactive you are, extremely hot temperatures can cause heatstroke, particularly in susceptible populations, such as children and the elderly. Remember, it does not have to be hot outside. If temperatures inside a kitchen, for example, are hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the risk for heatstroke is present.

• Hot temperatures and strenuous exercise - Heatstroke often happens in the workplace or on the playing field. When people strain themselves, their body temperatures rise. That, combined with high temperatures outside, can lead to heatstroke.

Signs Your Child Has Heatstroke

Children are not always able to communicate physical symptoms accurately, but you can spot heatstroke without their help.

• Headache - Heatstroke can cause headaches. Watch for your child complaining of head pain, holding his or head or generally fussing.

• Rapid heart rate - Your child's pulse will quicken if he or she has heatstroke. The heart is under tremendous pressure.

• Temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit - This is the main thing to watch out for with heatstroke. A temperature this high is a medical emergency.

• Altered mental state - Heatstroke's affect on the brain can lead to strange behavior, such as slurred speech. It can also lead to seizures and coma.

• Lack of sweat or profuse sweat - Oddly, heatstroke has two opposing effects on the way your child sweats. If the heatstroke is caused by simple exposure, the skin will be quite hot and dry. If exercise caused it, there will be a lot of sweat.

• Flushing - While skin will often become red in response to moderate heat, red skin combined with other symptoms may mean heatstroke.

• Rapid breathing - With heatstroke, the body tries desperately to cool itself. Rapid breathing is a result of this.

Tips for Combating Heatstroke

An article on heatstroke published in the New England Journal of Medicine describes ways you can prevent heatstroke.

• If you have access to air conditioning, use it on the hottest days of the year. Try to keep your child in a cool area and limit outdoor play during these times.

• If your child is athletic, avoid athletic endeavors like football games and long-distance runs when the heat is severe. If they cannot be avoided, provide proper hydration. Insist your child acclimate to the heat before the activity. Moreover, do not allow your child to participate when the heat is extreme and there are no medical personnel on hand.

• Never leave your child in a car on a hot day under any circumstances. Even if you intend to be gone for only a moment, you cannot predict something that would prevent your immediate return.

There is usually time to prevent heat exhaustion from becoming heatstroke if you monitor your child. If the symptoms arise in spite of preventative measures, your child needs medical attention immediately. If you have questions about heat stroke, and preventing it, talk with your doctor. If you think someone is experiencing severe head stroke, consult a medical professional immediately.

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.