Heat-related illnesses, like heat stroke, often lead to a trip to the emergency room. And that’s something no one wants to do. Especially when it’s your child.

As the temperatures begin to rise, it’s important to know the heat stroke symptoms to watch for. This way you can start treatment as quickly as possible. And then get your child to their pediatrician to make sure everything is going to be okay.

Check out this guide to familiarize you with what you need to know about heat stroke.

Dizziness and Nausea

One of the main causes of heat stroke is a combination of high temperatures and dehydration. This means one of the first signs you’ll notice is dizziness or nausea. When your child complains of these problems, sit them down and start pushing liquids.

If the feelings don’t decrease within a couple of minutes, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice.

Shift in Heart Rate and Breathing

Sometimes the change is more subtle and difficult to see. This can happen when your child’s heart rate or breathing patterns change.

The difficult thing is that they can both increase or decrease at the beginning of a heat stroke. So any change in these vital systems should be taken seriously. These often go beyond basic first aid. The child should see a medical provider if they continue.

Sudden Behavioral Changes

Every parent knows that a child’s behavior changes throughout the day. This isn’t anything to be concerned about since it’s normal development. It does become concerning when the behavior shifts towards lethargy or confusion. These can be signs that the heat stroke has progressed and is affecting brain function.

Falling Unconscious

A child falling unconscious is always a reason for concern. And can be a sign of serious heat stroke that needs to be taken care of immediately.

First, follow the first aid guidelines for assessing the child. Then call for immediate medical help. The faster you can get a professional there, the better their healing will be.

Common Treatment Options

If your child starts to present with any of these symptoms, you can start by trying to cool them down. This means removing them from the sun, soaking them in a cold bath, and drinking plenty of water. The more you can cool their temperature down, the better.

From there, you can monitor for other symptoms to determine if a trip to the doctor, emergency room or urgent care is necessary.

Regular Checkups with Your Pediatrician

The key to minimizing the side effects of a heat-related illness is to catch it early. Understanding the signs and symptoms of a heat stroke helps you know what to do.

As always, we recommend regular visits to your pediatrician. Our team at Thrive Pediatrics will help you prepare your family for the outdoor adventures and any possible heat related injuries. Check out our locations and schedule an appointment today!