{"id":9144,"date":"2018-07-28T06:00:14","date_gmt":"2018-07-28T10:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/candostreet.com\/blog-parents\/?p=9144"},"modified":"2018-07-26T18:17:01","modified_gmt":"2018-07-26T22:17:01","slug":"keeping-your-child-safe-from-the-3hs-of-heat-illness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/candostreetny.com\/blog-parents\/keeping-your-child-safe-from-the-3hs-of-heat-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Your Child Safe From Heat Stroke, Exhaustion and Cramps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"heat\"<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h1>\n

It is still hot in many parts of the U.S., and heat illness is a health concern, especially for children.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h1>\n

The following press release speaks to protecting your child from heat induced illnesses.<\/p>\n

Source Newsroom:<\/strong> Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center<\/a><\/p>\n

Doctors at Cincinnati Children\u2019s Hospital Medical Center<\/a> want parents and guardians to know how they can keep their kids safe during the hot weather.<\/p>\n

Dr. Eric Kirkendall<\/span><\/a>, Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children\u2019s, explains that there are three major illnesses that heat can trigger. \u201cHeat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps are reactions caused by exposure to high temperatures combined with high humidity. The most serious of these is heat stroke.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

Heat stroke symptoms include hot flushed skin, high fevers (over 104\u00b0 F), and altered mental states such as confusion. It can be accompanied by seizures. It is a life-threatening emergency, and needs to be treated promptly.<\/p>\n

Heat exhaustion is less severe, but is still dangerous and requires medical attention. Symptoms include pale skin; profuse sweating; nausea, dizziness, fainting, or weakness.<\/p>\n

Heat cramps are most common in the abdomen and legs, especially the calf or thigh muscles. Tightness or hand spasms can also occur, but none of these symptoms are accompanied by a fever.<\/p>\n

Dr. Kirkendall advises that parents and caregivers should limit outdoor play time when it is extremely hot outside to early morning or late afternoon. \u201cKeep children well hydrated with water, and take frequent breaks to allow them to come inside and cool off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Treating Heat Stroke<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 Call 911 immediately.
\n\u2022 Cool the child off as rapidly as possible while waiting for Emergency Medical Services to arrive. Move the child to a cool shady place or an air-conditioned room; sponge the entire body surface with cool water (as tolerated without causing shivering); and fan the child to increase evaporation.
\n\u2022 Keep the feet elevated to counteract shock.
\n\u2022 If the child is awake, give him as much cold water to drink as he can tolerate.
\n\u2022 Fever medicines are of no value for heat stroke.<\/p>\n

Treating Heat Exhaustion<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 Put the child in a cool place. Have him lie down with the feet elevated.
\n\u2022 Undress the child (except for underwear) so the body surface can give off heat.
\n\u2022 Sponge the entire body surface continuously with cool water without causing shivering. Fan the child to increase heat loss from evaporation.
\n\u2022 Give the child as much cool, not cold water to drink as is tolerable until he feels better.
\n\u2022 Move the child to a shaded area.
\n\u2022 For persistent or severe symptoms, take the child to be seen by a physician.<\/p>\n

Avoiding Cramps<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 Monitor the child\u2019s physical activity and make sure that he does not overly exert himself.
\n\u2022 Make sure the child drinks plenty of water and rehydrates often.
\n\u2022 Encourage frequent breaks from physical activity so the child can cool down and gently stretch his muscles.<\/p>\n

About Cincinnati Children\u2019s Hospital<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nCincinnati Children\u2019s Hospital Medical Center ranks third in the nation among all Honor Roll hospitals in U.S.News and World Report\u2019s 2014 Best Children\u2019s Hospitals. It is also ranked in the top 10 for all 10 pediatric specialties. Cincinnati Children\u2019s, a non-profit organization, is one of the top three recipients of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health, and a research and teaching affiliate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The medical center is internationally recognized for improving child health and transforming delivery of care through fully integrated, globally recognized research, education and innovation. Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org<\/a>. Connect on the Cincinnati Children\u2019s blog<\/a>, via Facebook<\/a> and on Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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