Lyndsey How to notice, treat and prevent heat related illness.
Summer is approaching!! Am I right?!? I love the summer, it’s my favorite season by far. There are so many fun things to do with and without your kids. Bonfires, BBQ’s, beach days, trail exploring, bike rides, parks, pools, yard games. If I could spend every day outside, I would! But… with summer comes the potential for heat related illness, so let’s talk about safety in the sun this summer!
If you are a summer and sun lover like me, you probably can’t wait to get out and about and start enjoying those summer activities with your kids. If that’s the case, take a look below at the helpful tips and tricks, and safety information about spending those long fun-filled days in the beautiful summer sun!
Please read the information below about the signs, symptoms, treatments and prevention ideas for the different heat-related illnesses.
You can view a PDF file that reviews the same information in my resources page by clicking here.
Types of Heat-Related Illnesses
- Heat Rash
- Sunburns
- Heat Cramps
- Heat Exhaustion
- Heat Stroke
Heat Rash
Signs/Symptoms
- Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples
- Usually found on:
- Neck
- Chest
- Groin
- Elbow creases
Treatment
- Get to a cool, dry place
- Keep the rash dry
- Use powder to soothe
- Example: baby powder
Prevention Ideas
- Wear loose, breathable clothing
- Use lightweight, breathable bedding
- Take cooler baths/showers
- Drink fluids to avoid dehydration
Sunburns
Signs/Symptoms
- Painful, red, warm skin
- Blisters on the skin
- This is a radiation burn that continues to develop over 24 to 72 hours after exposure
Treatment
- Stay out of the sun until healed
- Put cool clothes on sunburn
- Take a cool bath
- Cool water can help to reduce further development after exposure
- Use Aloe to soothe burn affects
- Keep area moisturized
- Don’t break the blisters
- Apple cider vinegar can help to soothe and quickly heal burns
Prevention Ideas
- Wear protective clothing
- Use sunscreen of SPF30 or higher
- Use hats and sunglasses
- Seek shaded areas
Because sunburns are radiation burns that can continue to develop over time, it’s best to get into a cool shower or bath right away to reduce inflammation and help to reduce further development of the burn.
Moisturizing products that I would highly recommend for sunburns, or severely dry skin are below. These products are used in many healthcare facilities for wound and skin care (or at least the facilities I worked in).
- Remedy Phytoplex Nourishing Cream ‘paid link’ – this is a lotion that you rub into your skin.
- Remedy Phytoplex Hydragaurd Silicone Cream – this goes as a secondary coat over the lotion application to lock in moisture and provide a protective barrier from water washing off the lotion.
Heat Cramps
Signs/Symptoms
- Heavy sweating during exercise
- Muscle pain or spasms
Treatment
- Stop physical activity
- Find a cool place
- Drink water or sports drinks
- Get medical attention if:
- Cramps last longer than 1 hour
- You’re on a low sodium diet
- You have heart problems
Prevention Ideas
- Avoid heavy physical activity in hot environments
- Drink fluids to stay hydrated
Pedialyte makes popsicles that can be used as a way to get electrolytes and hydration back into your child. These have the electrolytes, nutrients and sodium that regular Pedialyte has, but kids are more likely to take a popsicle and eat it then to drink Pedialyte (or at least mine are more likely to). They also make powder packets you can mix with water for easy on the go ideas in case of heat illness.
Heat Exhaustion
Signs/Symptoms
- Heavy sweating
- Cold, pale, clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fainting
Treatment
- Move to a cool place
- Loosen your clothes
- Put cool wet clothes on
- Take a cool bath
- Sip water
- Get medical attention if:
- You are vomiting
- Your symptoms worsen
- Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour
Prevention Ideas
- Wear loose, breathable clothing
- Avoid sunburns
- Drink fluids to stay hydrated
- Avoid excessively hot environments
- Keep activity mild during hotter parts of the day
Heat exhaustion should be taken seriously, because these signs and symptoms are the warning signs that you or your child could be headed towards a heat stroke. Don’t ignore these signs and symptoms, start treatment ideas right away. You will want to sip water until some of the symptoms reside, because overdrinking water could cause vomiting, and then you would lose everything you tried to gain.
Pedialyte makes popsicles that can be used as a way to get electrolytes and hydration back into your child. These have the electrolytes, nutrients and sodium that regular Pedialyte has, but kids are more likely to take a popsicle and eat it then to drink Pedialyte (or at least mine are more likely to). They also make powder packets you can mix with water for easy on the go ideas in case of heat illness.
Heat Stroke
Signs/Symptoms
- Body temp 103F or higher
- Hot, red, dry or damp skin
- Fast, strong pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Losing consciousness (passing out)
From personal experience, I also am aware that lethargy is common, and skin can start to turn ashen or purple during or after a heat stroke.
Treatment
- Call 911 right away
- Move the person to a cooler area
- Place cool cloths on them or put them in a cool bath
- Don’t give them anything to drink
Prevention Ideas
- Wear loose, breathable clothing
- Avoid sunburns
- Drink fluids to stay hydrated
- Avoid excessively hot environments
- Keep activity mild during hotter parts of the day
- Pay attention to signs of heat exhaustion and act quickly to mitigate before it becomes heat stroke.
I say above, from personal experience, and I can tell you that watching a child go through a heat stroke is terrifying. No one should ever have to experience this, so please, keep your children safe in the sun!
Conclusion
Summer time and summer activities are so much fun, but spending time out in the sun can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Be sure to monitor your child for any of the symptoms listed above, and take the appropriate actions if you notice any type of heat-related illness. I just want to see you and your little ones healthy and happy this summer!
Share your pictures or fun summer activities below in the comments, I would love to see all the happy families!
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Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/pdf/Heat_Related_Illness.pdf
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