Summer can be fun, but those scorching hot days when the sun covers your body and results in a thick blanket of perspiration are no good at all. For your children, active days during a heat wave can be especially harmful. Injury from heat can have a greater impact on children because their bodies are less equipped to handle the stress of high temperatures.
“Kids’ bodies don’t acclimate to the heat as well adults. They don’t sweat as effectively,” Jerold Sterling, pediatrician and chair of the department of pediatrics at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, told Science Daily. “They absorb more heat since they have smaller bodies and a higher ratio of surface area to body mass. Kids are supposed to be out having fun. They can get wrapped up in what they are doing and forget to take breaks. They’re also not as tuned in to their body’s cues.”
As a parent, you’ll need to monitor their activity levels outside to keep your kids safe. If they’re very physical, you may need to ensure they take breaks to cool down. Water and sports drinks can be good hydration choices, but carbonated and caffeinated drinks can be dangerous, making kids dehydrated.
Before sending kids outside for the afternoon, consider giving them an all-natural supplement by Dr. Newton’s Naturals. With a product like CalMax Kids, children can get vital doses of vitamin C and magnesium in a tasty beverage powder that they can drink on the go. Formulated with calcium, these tablets support strong bones and general good health for your youngsters.
Seasonal heat waves can also spell trouble for kids in other ways. Heat rash, known as prickly heat, is a condition caused by extreme spikes in temperature that can happen when you least expect it. According to The Mayo Clinic, when sweat ducts become clogged or blocked by perspiration, superficial red blisters can sprout on skin’s surface that can be painful and filled with pus. People of all ages are susceptible to the condition, including infants.
To prevent heat rash from affecting your kids, make sure they wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing during their romps in the sun.
If your child seems disoriented and complains of being hot, immediately get him or her out of the sun and into a cool, shaded place if possible. After giving him or her plenty of water, place a moist towel or another cool compress over his or her forehead to alleviate stress related to the heat. If your child’s condition worsens, contact medical staff as soon as possible.
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