SUMMER HEAT – Dangerous to Children and Frightened to Parents
Spotting an emerging Emergency case
A child is unique – A child is not small adult
1. Cannot AVOID Heat – Cannot move away – Irritable
2. Cannot understand HEAT and THIRST – cannot speak- Irritable
3. Skin surface too small to cool the body heat – Irritable
4. Refusing to drink when he needs to drink – Irritable
5. Vomits when forced to drink – upset stomach – Irritable
6. Immature systems easily out of control
Spotting signs of an Overheated Child …
PALE SKIN or FLUSHED CHEEK
HOT DRY SKIN ( BUT NO FEVER) LICKING DRY LIPS
SHIVERING – GOOSE PIMPLES – COLD BLUE FINGERS
SLEEPY – IRRITABLE – TUMMY CRAMPS
Emergency case and the homely first aid solution – The Wet T-Shirt
Typically a hot child becomes Lethargic, Irritable, indication of fast pulse, dry lips, hot skin and an extreme case – Fainting and possible Coma
1st Remove to cooler place – to COOL SHADE / INDOORS
2. Remove clothing, shoes, hats
3. Cool bath or (wet t-shirt) – wet hair
4. Fan to dry off the water on skin/hair
5. Give electrolyte fluids / water
If the person cannot move – say a baby, an elderly, handicap person or heavy weight
Wet t-shirt action PUT IT ON – Leave exposed to AIR, FAN.
And Place cool wet cloths in Axillae, Neck, Groin
CELEBRATING THE SKIN:
1. The SKIN is a very successful ORGAN, Well equipped to BALANCE -HEAT GAIN and LOSS
2. Brings WATER (in SWEAT ) to SKIN surface – it EVAPORATES. Using HEAT from SKIN SURFACE – the SKIN COOLS DOWN
3. Brings SWEAT- (contains WATER and SALTS ) . The SALTS in the body are decreased – (lost in the Sweat and Decreased intake). Cause a feeling of Weakness and Exhaustion
4. SHIVERING Many system involved in Heat balance. Imbalance OF SYSTEMS IN YOUNG CHILD cause Unusual combination of SHIVERING , COLD BLUE FINGERS BUT HIGH CORE TEMPERATURE
SICKNESS caused by extreme Heat:
A. EXHAUSTION: Low levels WATER and SALT Not enough replaced by child-intake, nausea and vomiting due to effect of heat. Systems are immature and over react.
B. Muscle cramps, Tummy cramps and loss of appetite. Pain in legs at night – growing pains
C. Dehydration do not appreciate THIRST – drinks less if forced to drink – Nauseated – Vomits
D. Disorientation, Confusion salt and water – decrease in body
E. Seizures due to decreased water and sugar and salts .
1. Beginning early summer the body perspires loosing large volumes of water and salts. .
2. Water in perspiration and sweat evaporates cooling down the body.
Exhaustion caused by imbalance caused by loss of too much water or salts that affects functions of body.
Children are hotter because body mass produces too much heat and skin not enough to give off this ibcetgesed heat