Handling the Heat!

Heat Cramps
Brief, severe cramps in the muscles of the legs, arms, or abdomen that may occur during or after vigorous exercise in extreme heat.

Dehydration is the main culprit of heat cramps

What to Do:
Most heat cramps don't require special treatment. A cool place, rest, and fluids should ease a child's discomfort. Massaging cramped muscles may also help.


Heat Exhaustion
A more severe heat illness that can occur when someone in a hot climate or environment hasn't been drinking enough fluids. Symptoms may include:

•dehydration
•fatigue
•weakness
•clammy skin
•headache
•nausea and/or vomiting
•hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
•irritability

What to Do:
•Bring your child indoors or into the shade.
•Loosen or remove your child's clothing.
•Encourage your child to eat and drink.
•Give your child a bath in cool (not cold) water.
•Call your doctor for further advice. If your child is too exhausted or ill to eat or drink, intravenous (IV) fluids may be necessary.
If left untreated, heat exhaustion may escalate into heatstroke, which can be fatal.


Heatstroke
The most severe form of heat illness, heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency. The body loses its ability to regulate its own temperature. Body temperature can soar to 106° F (41.1° C) or even higher, leading to brain damage or even death if it isn't quickly treated. Prompt medical treatment is required to bring the body temperature under control.

Factors that increase the risk for heatstroke include overdressing and extreme physical exertion in hot weather with inadequate fluid intake.

What to Do:
Call for emergency medical help if your child has been outside in the sun exercising for a long time and shows one or more of these symptoms of heatstroke:

•flushed, hot, dry skin with no sweating
•temperature of 105° F (40.6° C) or higher
•severe, throbbing headache
•weakness, dizziness, or confusion
•sluggishness or fatigue
•seizure
•decreased responsiveness
•loss of consciousness

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