Prevent Heat-Related Illness in Your Child
Heat-related illness occurs when the body’s temperature gets too high. Body temperature can be affected by the temperature of the air and by level of physical activity. To protect your child from heat-related illness, follow the tips on this sheet.
What Are the Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness?
Heat-related illness can range in symptoms from mild (heat cramps), to moderate (heat exhaustion), to severe (heat stroke).
Mild: Heat Cramps
Sweating a lot
Having painful spasm in muscles during activity or hours later (heat cramps)
Developing tiny red bumps on skin and a prickly sensation (heat rash or prickly heat)
Feeling irritable, dizzy, or weak
Moderate: Heat Exhaustion
Sweating a lot
Having cold, moist, pale, or flushed skin
Feeling very weak or tired
Having headache, nausea, loss of appetite
Having rapid or weak pulse
Having cramps
Severe: Heat Stroke
NOTE: If your child has symptoms of heat stroke, call 911 or take your child to the emergency department right away.
Not sweating
Having hot, dry skin that looks red, gray, or bluish
Having deep, fast breathing
Having headache or nausea
Having rapid, weak, or irregular pulse
Feeling dizzy, confused, or delirious
Fainting
Having convulsions
How Is Heat-Related Illness Treated?
Remove your child from the heat, direct sun, or warm air that is causing the illness.
Give your child cold fluids, such as water, to drink to prevent dehydration. Infants can be given a children’s electrolyte solution.
Apply cool compresses on your child’s forehead, neck, and underarms.
Blow cool air onto your child’s skin with fans.
Give your child a bath in cool water to bring down body temperature. Make sure the water is not too cold.
Give your child over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to treat pain and fever. Do not give ibuprofen to an infant 6 months of age or less, or to a child who is dehydrated or constantly vomiting. Do not give aspirin to a child with a fever. This can put your child at risk of a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
Call the doctor if your child has any of the following:
Fever
In an infant under 3 months old, a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher
In a child 3 to 36 mnths, a rectal temperature of 102°F (39.0°C) or higher
In a child of any age who has a temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher
A fever that lasts more than 24-hours in a child under 2 years old, or for 3 days in a child 2 years or older
Your child has had a seizure caused by the fever
Signs of dehydration (very dark or little urine, excessive thirst, dry mouth, dizziness)
Increased tiredness or lack of energy
A fainting spell
How Is Heat-Related Illness Prevented?
You can do the following to prevent your child from getting heat-related illness:
Give your child plenty of fluids to drink.
Dress your child in appropriate clothing for the weather.
Have your child rest and take breaks during exercise or physical activity.
On hot days, also do the following:
Keep your child indoors or in shaded or cool areas.
Give your child more fluids than normal.
Spray cool water on your child to keep him or her cool.
Dress your child in fewer layers. Have your child wear a hat or a visor.