Overview

Heat exhaustion occurs when your child is hot, sweats a lot, and does not drink enough to replace the lost fluids. Heat exhaustion is not the same as heatstroke, which is much more serious. Heatstroke can lead to problems with many different organs and can be life-threatening.

After medical care for heat exhaustion, limit activity while your child recovers.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Limit your child's activities, and make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Your doctor will give you instructions on when your child can resume a normal schedule.
• Have your child stay in a cool room for at least the next 24 hours.
• To replace fluids, give your child rehydration drinks and juices that your doctor recommends. Drinks such as sports drinks that contain electrolytes work best, because they have salt and minerals. Your child needs salt and minerals as well as water.

To prevent heat exhaustion

• Have your child drink plenty of fluids.
• Have your child drink plenty of water before, during, and after physical activity. This is very important when it is hot out and when your child does intense exercise or sports.
• During hot weather, have your child wear light-coloured clothing that fits loosely and a hat with a brim to reflect the sun.
• Have your child limit or avoid strenuous activity during hot or humid weather, especially during the hottest part of the day (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are more likely to develop when your child is active in hot weather. Humidity makes hot weather even more dangerous.
• Cars can get very hot inside. Open the windows or turn on the air conditioning before your child gets in.
• Try to keep your child cool during hot weather. If your home is not air-conditioned, seek an air-conditioned place. That could be in the library, a neighbourhood cafe or a friend's home.
• Spray your child with a cool mist. Give your child a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
• Be aware that some medicines can raise the risk of heat exhaustion. Ask your doctor whether any medicine your child takes raises the chance of getting heat exhaustion.