The dog days of summer are here already, and in San Antonio, along with the summer comes extreme temperatures. One of the biggest threats posed to children during this time is heat stroke.
Playing outside in the sun and the heat can easily make your children sick. Even swimming in a pool, kids can become dehydrated and suffer heat stroke.
Brian Bates, the director of medical services at Methodist Children's Hospital, said that heat related illnesses are a spectrum of exhaustion to heat stroke.
"Some of the first signs are flushed, red skin, excess sweating (initially), increased thirst and exhaustion," Bates said. "The scary part is when they've been warm and in the sun, they stop sweating and get extremely hot. That's when you seek medical attention."
Emergency services should also be called if the child develops a fever or if there is an change in their mental state, such as not wanting to drink anything or simply not acting normal.
Bates explains that prevention is the key.
"Keep them extremely well hydrated, be in an area where you can get to shade and limit the amount of time in the sun," he said.
"Older kids that just go outside unsupervised need to get used to taking breaks and drinking," Bates added. "If they start to feel hot, get in the shade."
This is also a problem with kids who play sports.
"They don't want to admit that they're getting tired," Bates said.
However, he advises that if children get dizzy or if their vision changes, such as seeing different colors, they need to get into the shade and drink lots of fluids.
Another mistake many parents and children make is drinking highly caffeinated beverages such as soda. It is important to drink water or sports drinks in order to stay hydrated.
"If there are weight issues, drink something low in sugar," Bates explained.
He also stressed the importance of parents being aware of the weather and the temperature. When going outside, they should bring hats, sunscreen, and plenty of fluids, not only for their children, but for themselves.
"You can't protect your kids if you can't protect yourself," Bates said.
By Julia Ermlich
intern@laprensasa. com