Expert: Watch children when mercury rises
By Steve Herring
Published in News on June 19, 2015 1:46 PM
Infants and toddlers under the age of 3 are at a higher risk for heat-related problems during heat waves like the one that has been baking eastern North Carolina for the past week, said Dr. Cory Bean of Goldsboro Pediatrics.
But anybody could be at risk for heat-related illness in this type of weather, he said.
"We've seen some folks with some mild dizziness and increased headaches, mild heat-related illnesses," he said. "But thankfully we have not seen anybody with any severe heat-related illnesses."
Keeping both children and adults safe is a matter of common sense, he said.
"As far as preventative measures to protect a child from heat-related illness, plan for an air-conditioned space," he said. "If your home doesn't have air conditioning, maybe make plans to go to the library or someplace that has air conditioning to help protect them.
"Make sure they stay very well-hydrated -- two to four cups of water an hour if they are outdoors. Try to avoid caffeinated beverages that have high amounts of sugar as that can actually be dehydrating. Make sure that they get adequate rest. Make sure they have plenty of breaks if they are going to be outside, because the heat will make you more tired than usual."
And don't forget sunscreen to prevent sunburn, he said
"If they are going to be out for more than 15 or 20 minutes make sure they have a good sunscreen applied -- generally the highest SPS you can find that protects against UVA and UVB (types of ultraviolet light)."
There are several signs parents should be on the lookout for that could signal a heat-related illness, including feeling excessively tired or faint, nauseous, vomiting, muscle aches and muscle cramps, he said.
"Muscle aches and muscle cramps are often a very early sign of heat exhaustion, actually," Dr. Bean said. "Heat exhaustion is kind of like the early stages of heat-related illness whereas heat stroke is just the body's complete breakdown of the ability to maintain a normal temperature.
"For mild symptoms such as weakness, clammy skin, nausea, dizziness, the thing they should do immediately is try to get them to a cooler location, apply some cool damp cloths and let them sip some cool water."
However, if a child is showing symptoms of a heat stroke, is unconsciousness, or has a high body temperature, that is a medical emergency and 911 needs to be contacted immediately, he said.
"Try to stay indoor as much as possible during the high temperatures to try and reduce the risk," Dr. Bean said. "If you do go out, make sure you stay well hydrated, wear your sunscreen to avoid sunburn."