Heatstroke in a child treated at home. Heat stroke in a child: how to recognize and provide first aid. Methods for treating heat stroke at home

Summer, sun, river. It’s so good to lie on the grass, leaf through a book, and relax. Who hasn't dreamed about this all long winter? Or maybe you went to the resort during the school holidays - then both you and your baby need a fair share of vitamin D and warm sunshine.

But finally we packed our things, took the children and went into nature. And, as often happens, they forgot that everything is good in moderation. And the body baby Meanwhile, he reacts quickly to our oversight: before we even had time to notice, the baby was burned or developed first symptoms of heatstroke. What should mom do in this case, how to help first aid for a child?

What is heatstroke?

First, let's figure out what it is heatstroke. And we will try to understand the seriousness of the situation for the small organism baby – heatstroke at any age causes serious harm as in 2, so at 3 and 4 years old.

And the most important thing is that with prolonged exposure to high temperatures, the heat exchange of the entire body is disrupted, but it is difficult to adjust it back to proper operation. To put it simply, heat transfer stops working, and the heating of the body itself is maximum.

The components include solar radiation and heat. The following happens to the body: vascular tone and the process of thermoregulation are disrupted. Blood rushes to the skin, there can be up to 2 liters of it (and a total of 5 liters in a person). Sometimes children faint in this state.

IMPORTANT! In case of fainting, place the child horizontally, raise his legs up, and apply something cold to his forehead. If there is no improvement, seek medical attention immediately.

Main signs of heatstroke in a child

In medicine, it is customary to divide sunstroke into three degrees of severity. In its simplest form, the body produces fever, profuse sweating, rapid pulse, headache and nausea. But how do you understand what the baby, who also has of the year No - heatstroke? After all, if he just got up temperature- this does not mean at all that it has overheated. Perhaps he has a rotavirus intestinal infection.

IMPORTANT! Heatstroke can happen at any time of the year - if a small child is wrapped up too much and he is in a hot room. His usual heat exchange will be disrupted, which will lead to heat stroke.

Heat stroke in an infant

Let's find out what are the main signs of overheating for infant. He still can’t say anything himself.

If a small child has been in the sun for a long time, he begins to wither, become sour, his head falls, he is capricious. That's what it is first signs of heatstroke And first aid for children will:

• Get out of the sun and into the shade;
• Get the baby out of the stroller (it can be 50 degrees there);
• Remove all his clothes, including his diaper;
• Give him some water. You can use compote, but better with water;
• You can sprinkle or pour water over the baby. This is required to cool the body as a whole.

IMPORTANT! There is one rule: the smaller the child, the gentler you need to deal with him.

Heatstroke in a 4 year old child

At this age, it is imperative to listen to the baby; although he is still small, he can quite consciously say that he is hot or cold. Or that he is very thirsty. Be sure to listen to him and don’t brush him off, even if you think that everything is fine with him, but he’s just being capricious.

IMPORTANT! A baby's crankiness may be the first sign of heatstroke!

Until your child is five years old, carry a bottle of water everywhere during hot weather. And it’s even better not to go out into the sun at all with your child, but to be in the shade, under a tree. There is grass, and sunbeams, and a slight breeze. It is not necessary to be exposed to direct sunlight when relaxing; vitamin D is perfectly activated in the shade.

What to do if your child has heatstroke and has a fever

If you find yourself in the sun and overheating the temperature has risen, give your baby antipyretics: aspirin, paracetamol, nurofen.

IMPORTANT! The main problem with heatstroke is that it can be confused with the onset of a cold or ordinary fatigue.

He may experience lethargy, drowsiness, and vomiting. In this case, limit walks, as in winter, until the baby’s body is completely restored.

At treating heatstroke at home Observe the child for an hour and if the situation worsens, call an ambulance immediately. At the same time, unsolder and wipe it with water until the ambulance arrives.

IMPORTANT! Overheating, especially in the south, greatly reduces a child’s immunity - he can easily get sick.

Let's go to the beach

Go with child 2 or 3 years old to the beach to lie on the sand? What to do to prevent it from burning and getting heatstroke? Choose a beach where you can hide from the sun. And if there is none, then the best thing is: come, take a dip and leave. Sit in the shade and immediately undress the child before he overheats . Be sure to take water and compote with you. If the baby is already 3 years– you can offer him ice cream, just be extremely careful with it. Allow him to eat it in small portions or lick it.

What to do if your child is sunburned

But let’s assume that the child still got burned, and even got heatstroke. Injure your skin less with all sorts of colognes, it is already too dry. It is better to lubricate it periodically with something lactic acid: sour cream, kefir. Apply at least every hour until the baby feels better. Dairy products not only nourish the skin, but also contain vitamin A. And be sure to stay at home with your baby for a couple of days. Not in the shade on the beach, but at home. Relatively heat stroke in a child– carry out the same actions as usual: wiping with water, if necessary, give an antipyretic and plenty of fluids.

If the child is very young, give him a soothing bath and make sure everything is clean, as a variety of infections can easily penetrate through damaged skin. Just don’t try to make the bath hot; understand that the baby’s skin is already on fire; even a slightly cool bath will suit him.

What to do to prevent children from overheating

• When leaving home, put on a hat for your child;
• Have a container of water with you, even if you go to the store for half an hour;
• Dress your child according to the weather;
• Always monitor your baby's exposure to the sun;
• In the shade, the child should be undressed immediately.

Daria, daughter Ekaterina (9 years old), sons Kirill (5 years old) and Alexey (2 years old)

Taking into account three children and their endless wishes and whims, it is difficult to understand when a child is really thirsty and tired, and when he just wants to be in his mother’s arms. We once had a sunburn on Kirill when he was 8 months old. We all rested in the shade, but Kirill got burned. Yes, so much... Then Panthenol cream helped very well. While dad was running to the pharmacy, we smeared it with kefir, but the effect was incomparable.

Alina, daughter Nadezhda (4 years old)

My daughter and I are very sensitive to rising air temperatures, so we always try not to leave the house in extreme heat or go to the country for the summer. When we have to go to the city, we take a lot of water and already enjoy ice cream. What saves us in the city is the split system and my ability not to take my child to kindergarten in the summer. Otherwise I think we would constantly overheat.

Useful video

Doctor Komarovsky in this program we will talk about heatstroke:

Results

Photos and videos: free Internet sources

Heatstroke is a painful condition resulting from prolonged exposure of the body to high temperatures. In people with chronic pathologies of the cardiovascular system, hyperthermia can cause serious consequences. In particular, cardiac arrest cannot be ruled out.

Causes

Heatstroke is associated with a significant loss of water and salts from the body through increased sweating. When the body's fluid reserves are depleted, sweating becomes scarce or stops altogether, and the body's cooling process slows down.

Hyperthermia develops very quickly as a result the body does not have time to adapt to temperature changes and a rapid depletion of compensatory properties occurs.

The most common causes of heatstroke in humans are:

• high temperature and humidity;
• high temperature in closed or poorly ventilated areas;
• physical work in leather, rubberized or synthetic clothing under the influence of high ambient temperatures;
• overwork;
• dehydration of the body;
• plentiful food;
• long hikes in hot weather.

If the drinking regime is not observed (inadequately low fluid intake), dehydration (dehydration) gradually develops, as a result of which sweating decreases.

Symptoms of heat stroke in an adult

Heatstroke (hyperthermia) is essentially overheating, or more precisely, a reaction to too high an ambient temperature. As a rule, it does not happen immediately, but after some time of being in the open sun.

The pathological condition of the body we are considering develops suddenly. The main symptom of heat stroke is a significant increase in body temperature.

The victim has:

• severe weakness;
• depression or, on the contrary, nervous excitement;
• difficulty breathing;
• thirst;
• increase in temperature (maybe even up to +41 degrees C);
• arrhythmia;
• drop in blood pressure;
• pale and dry skin;
• migraine, dizziness;
• sometimes tremors of the limbs;
• increased heart rate over 125 beats/minute;
• fainting;
• Diarrheal symptoms may be present.

Severe cases are characterized by:

• loss of consciousness;
• disorientation in space;
• rave;
• psychomotor agitation;
• the appearance of seizures;
• hallucinations;
• cyanosis (blueness of the skin);
• bleeding in the digestive tract.

Even with a relatively favorable course of events, the need to call an ambulance should not be neglected.

According to the effect on the human body, heat strokes are divided according to severity:

Forms

Taking into account the leading symptoms, four clinical forms of heat stroke are distinguished:

• Pyretic form– the most striking symptom is an increase in body temperature to 39-41 degrees.
• Asphyxial form of heatstroke– depression of respiratory function comes to the fore.
• Cerebral or paralytic form– against the background of hyperthermia and hypoxia, convulsions occur, sometimes hallucinations and elements of delirium appear.
• Gastroenteric or dyspeptic form– accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and urinary retention.
  

How does heat stroke manifest in a child?

Heatstroke occurs in a child when heat transfer is impaired or heat production increases. The hot season is especially difficult for infants and children under 3-4 years of age. This is due to the fact that the child has not yet fully developed the mechanism of thermoregulation and the general metabolism of the body.

It is children who most often suffer from dehydration and intoxication, so heat stroke in children is a serious, pathological condition that threatens not only health, but also life.

The first signs of dehydration appear in the form of fatigue, thirst, dry lips and tongue, lack of energy and a feeling of heat in the body. After some time, the following symptoms appear, the consequences of which are extremely dangerous:

• pale skin;
• confusion in conversation, unconsciousness;
• darkening of urine;
• dizziness;
• fainting;
• hallucinations;
• fatigue;
• headache;
• fast and shallow breathing;
• fast heartbeat;
• muscle or abdominal cramps;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea/

The symptoms of heat stroke in children are the same, only the clinical picture will always be more pronounced, and the condition will be more severe.

Actions and first aid for heatstroke in children can be reduced to three main measures:

• Cooling the victim: Move the child to a cooler area or shade.
• Neutralize dehydration: provide plenty of fluids, give cool liquids containing salt and sugar;
• Call an ambulance in case of threatening symptoms.

1. The child must wear a hat made of natural breathable fabric (preferably a light color)!
2. Clothing should be light, breathable, and loosely fitting to the body. Naturally, in hot weather there should be a minimum of it.
3. The child must drink! Often, a lot during the day (one and a half to two times more than usual).
4. It is better to swim on the beach than to sunbathe. If children get into the water every five minutes, they will not get heatstroke because their body has time to cool down regularly.

First aid for heatstroke

Heatstroke poses the greatest danger to young children because their body's thermoregulatory system is insufficient. Severe consequences (including death) can develop in people with pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

At the first sign of heat stroke, you should call a doctor. Before he arrives, your task is to ensure the body is cooled.

Hospitalization is necessary in case of severe forms of the pathology in question, as well as if the victim is at high risk of developing complications:

• child;
• old man;
• a person with cardiovascular diseases;
• pregnant woman.

What can a doctor do? Carry out urgent treatment. If the patient loses consciousness, the doctor may administer a saline solution intravenously to the patient, which will restore the amount of fluid in the body.

First aid that needs to be provided to a person

1. The patient needs to be moved to the shade and ensured peace.
2. Once you find yourself in a cool and/or shady area, try to relax and breathe deeply, calmly. Ensure free air circulation, turn on a fan or air conditioner, but do not sit in a draft, because the body is weakened by overheating and catches colds easily.
3. Apply a cool (not ice) compress to your forehead. Important note: ice and very cold water are strictly contraindicated during heatstroke, since their contrasting effect will provoke vascular collapse. Cool lotions can also be applied to the carotid artery area, chest, hands, calves, groin area, popliteal areas, and armpits.
4. If the patient can move on his own, place him under the shower or in a cool bath. If movement is difficult, pour cool water over the body;

Heatstroke is a very serious condition, but with simple measures you can easily prevent it.

1. When working in conditions of increased thermal conditions, you should take short breaks every hour and choose suitable protective clothing.
2. Avoid increased physical activity and passive exposure to direct sunlight from 11.00 to 16.00, i.e. during hours of high sun activity, because this can lead not only to heat stroke, but also to;
3. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun without a hat or beach umbrella!
4. When changing the climate zone to a hotter one, you need to drink more liquid (juices, decoctions, compotes, and best of all, plain water), but only those ingredients that do not have a diuretic or diaphoretic effect. In extreme heat this is absolutely useless.
5. If medications are prescribed, consult your doctor to see if they may affect the body's resistance to temperature changes.
6. If the weather is too hot, physical overload should be avoided. If you have the opportunity to choose your own operating mode, you should prefer morning and evening hours. It is no coincidence that in hot countries there is a siesta time; it falls precisely at the very peak of high air temperatures.
7. Never leave your car in the sun. If this happens, do not sit in a hot car for more than 10 minutes.
8. If adults are able to think about their own health, then the main prevention of the development of heat stroke in a child is the attention and caution of his parents. Choose the right clothes for your child, watch what he eats and drinks (you should avoid drinking carbonated drinks in hot weather). To avoid heatstroke in your child, try to walk with him in the shade, or even better, leave the house only in the morning and evening.

The baby's body is most susceptible to external influences. If it is hot outside, pay maximum attention to prevent your baby from overheating.

Many mothers are interested in the symptoms and treatment of sunstroke in a child, especially in the summer, or before traveling to hot countries. After all, this can happen to absolutely anyone. And you should have a good idea of ​​what first actions to take in a given situation. Symptoms and treatment of heatstroke in a child are also of concern to parents. Many do not see a strong difference between these concepts.

Sunstroke: what is it?

What is heatstroke? If we define this concept in a few words, then this is severe overheating of the human body. It is dangerous with many negative consequences. If we talk about how long heat stroke lasts, then there is no clear answer to this question. Since the duration of the anomaly depends on the measures that were taken to eliminate it.

Causes of Heat Stroke

• The first reason for the described reaction of the body, of course, is heat. The sweltering heat increases the body temperature, the body cannot cope and this serious problem arises. Regarding the question of babies, this condition can be caused if the baby is dressed too warmly. The baby should be dressed according to the weather so that his body does not overheat.
• Another factor influencing the occurrence of this pathology is dehydration. In this case, the body stops producing the required amount of sweat, which makes it impossible to cool down.
• Certain medications can also cause a similar reaction. In particular, antidepressants or drugs to lower blood pressure.

Consequences of heatstroke in children

The result of the occurrence of a state of overheating of the entire body can be disappointing. Especially when it comes to a baby or older child. The first thing that can happen is dehydration. To prevent this, let your baby drink more water. The volume of fluid will be restored and the baby will immediately feel better. The worst thing that can happen is, of course, death. This is not an exaggeration. Unfortunately, such cases are known.
In this regard, every parent should know how not only to prevent overheating, but what to do if it has already happened.

Symptoms of heat stroke in a child

How to determine heatstroke in a baby? First of all, take a close look at the little one. If he yawns frequently, is lethargic and has red spots on his neck, then his body is overheated. Body temperature during heatstroke can reach up to 40 degrees. Signs of heat stroke in a child may not appear all at once; if you have even doubts, you need to urgently take action to normalize the baby’s condition.
It can all start with ordinary nausea, often accompanied by diarrhea. This indicates dehydration of the body as a whole. The baby may experience cramps and refuse to eat, even his most favorite foods.

What to do if a child has sunstroke

In case of heatstroke, it is important to provide proper emergency care. First of all, if you notice signs of overheating, you need to call an ambulance. While she's driving, take your baby to a cool place. Treatment of heatstroke in children should never begin with a cold shower. It can cause vasospasm. And you will not only not help the baby, but will also dramatically worsen the situation. Give the little one some warm water to drink. It, unlike cold, does not linger in the stomach for long and will produce the desired effect. Don't forget to rub your baby's skin to quickly dilate the blood vessels.

Everyone should know what to do if a child has a heatstroke, so as not to get confused if such a situation arises.

A painful condition resulting from exposure to high temperatures is called heatstroke. In essence, this is overheating, in which the body cannot independently provide thermoregulation, which leads to serious disorders.

This condition is especially dangerous for young children, because... Due to their age, their thermoregulation processes are imperfect and therefore the disease progresses quickly. Overheating is no less dangerous for people with pathologies of the cardiovascular system - they can develop dangerous conditions, even death.

Why does heat stroke occur?

Overheating of the body occurs with a significant loss of salts and fluids with increased sweating. Fluid reserves are depleted, as a result of which sweating stops or becomes scarce, and cooling processes in the body are disrupted.

Important! The main cause of heat stroke is impaired sweating and difficulty in evaporating it.

Heatstroke and sunstroke have different causes: sunstroke is caused by exposure to direct sunlight, and heatstroke can occur even in the shade and indoors, because such overheating causes indirect exposure to high temperatures.

Heatstroke in a child can occur due to the following factors:

• Being in the heat (if the temperature is over 30 degrees) - at high temperatures, heat is not removed from the skin, and sweat cannot evaporate;
• Incorrect clothing - if the child is dressed too warmly (bundled up) or is dressed in synthetic clothing that prevents sweat from evaporating;
• Intense physical activity in stuffy rooms and in the heat;
• Increased air humidity;
• Long hikes in the hottest part of the day;
• Excess subcutaneous fat – the body of overweight children has difficulty releasing heat;
• Lack of fluid intake - if the baby does not drink enough;
• Eating a lot of food in the heat;
• Taking medications - antiallergic drugs slow down heat transfer processes.

Mothers should remember that manifestations of sun and heat stroke are more common in fair-skinned and fair-haired children, because they tolerate heat less well. Disturbances in heat transfer processes can occur due to the immaturity of the thermoregulation system in young children or due to disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system.

Note! Heatstroke often occurs in children who are in a closed and motionless car during traffic jams in the heat.

Heatstroke in adults develops for the same reasons as in children. Overheating can occur against the background of excessively active physical activity in the heat, during a long stay in the heat (even in the shade and on public transport).

If human activity involves staying in hot shops, i.e. in an unventilated, hot and stuffy room, then overheating is guaranteed. This also applies to lovers of saunas and baths.

Important! Impaired water metabolism is a common cause of overheating. A person should drink at least one and a half liters of liquid per day, and on hot days and during physical activity, water consumption should be increased to three liters per day.

In adults, fluid loss can occur due to the abuse of alcohol and coffee-containing drinks, as well as when taking diuretic drugs.

Lack of fluid with increased sweating disrupts the water-electrolyte balance in the blood and promotes blood thickening - as a result, blood circulation is impaired and hypoxia of organs and tissues develops.

How does heatstroke develop: stages of development and symptoms

Heat stroke develops gradually and goes through three main stages:

1. An increase in temperature to 37-38 degrees, accompanied by breathing problems, even suffocation. There is weakness, fatigue, a feeling of fever, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. This condition occurs due to compression of blood vessels due to overheating, after which blood circulation is disrupted. Oxygen starvation and active sweating occur.
2. During heat stroke, the temperature rises to 40 degrees, severe dizziness and clouding of consciousness occur. There is a sharp weakness in the muscles, general lethargy, and thirst. The body overheats so much that the sweat glands can no longer cope and cannot release the required amount of heat to the external environment. If the person is not moved to a more adequate environment, the condition will enter the third stage.
3. Profound changes in metabolism and neuropsychiatric disorders occur. The supply of oxygen is reduced to a minimum, and the amount of carbon dioxide increases. The brain lacks nutrition, which can cause seizures and fainting. There are delusions, hallucinations, arrhythmic breathing, and psychomotor agitation.
4. The functioning of the digestive organs is disrupted. Consciousness is confused, up to the onset of coma. If the temperature rise reaches a critical point - 43-44 degrees, irreversible changes occur in the body, and this can lead to death.

Symptoms of heat stroke can be detected in the early stages, which allows you to take the necessary measures in a timely manner.

Important! The symptoms of sunstroke and heatstroke are similar, but with heatstroke, an increase in temperature is the main symptom of the condition.

Heatstroke and sunstroke are similar in clinical picture, but the symptoms of the latter are more pronounced. Signs of sunstroke develop more rapidly, which allows us to consider sunstroke to be a particularly severe form of heat overheating.

Symptoms in adults

External signs of heat stroke in an adult:

• The appearance of an unhealthy blush, redness (or, on the contrary, pallor) of the body and face;
• Severe weakness and depression or nervous agitation;
• Increased temperature and dry skin;
• Shortness of breath, difficulty or rapid breathing;
• Intense thirst;
• Darkening in the eyes, spots before the eyes, severe dizziness;
• Muscle spasms and weakness;
• , arterial disorders, increased heart rate;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Involuntary urination.

Manifestations of heat stroke are listed in order of deterioration of a person's condition and the development of more severe stages. In particularly difficult cases, the picture is complemented by the appearance of convulsions, hallucinations, delirium, cyanosis of the skin, complete disorientation in space, and the appearance of bleeding in the organs of the digestive tract.

Symptoms in children

The signs of heat stroke in children are clinically similar to those in adults, but the symptoms are usually more severe and the condition is more severe.

Important! Children most often suffer from intoxication and therefore, for them, heat stroke is a pathological condition that can cause serious health problems and is life-threatening. Therefore, even with a mild form in children, you should seek medical help.

In children, the first signs of overheating begin to appear: nausea, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and dilated pupils. In case of heatstroke, the skin of a child is moist and pale.

Then the symptoms begin to increase: the child develops adynamia (he does not want to move), movements become uncertain, consciousness begins to become confused, the temperature rises up to 40 degrees, the skin turns red. The child begins to feel an increased heart rate, may begin to choke, faint, or lose consciousness.

First aid and treatment

First aid for heat and sunstroke should be provided as soon as the first signs of the condition appear. It should be borne in mind that this is only pre-medical first aid and it is necessary to call a doctor who will help you navigate and determine the severity of the condition.

What to do in case of heatstroke before the doctor arrives:

1. Conduct or transfer the person into the shade, or better yet, into a cool room with a normal level of humidity and well-ventilated, away from exposure to a heat source.
2. Place the victim in a horizontal position. It is better to place your legs in an elevated position, and place a folded towel or clothing under your ankles. This will ensure blood flow to the brain.
3. If nausea or vomiting begins, the victim’s head should be turned slightly to one side so that he does not choke on vomit.
4. The child should remove excess clothing and free the chest and neck. An adult should also remove tight and tight clothing, jewelry and accessories, if possible, and take a refreshing shower or cool bath.
5. Provide fresh air flow. The victim can be fanned using fan-shaped movements.
6. Restore water balance. The child should be given water often, but in small portions, and the liquid should not be too cold, so as not to provoke stomach spasms and cause vomiting. It is better to use mineral water without gases or special salt solutions (Normohydron, Regidron). Adults can drink cool water with a little salt or lemon juice. If the condition allows, the patient can be given warm strong tea and fed with juicy and watery fruits and vegetables (watermelon, fresh, citrus fruits).
7. Rubbing and compresses. Wet any cloth in cool water and apply it to the victim’s neck, forehead and back of the head, first carefully wipe the body with a wet cloth, and then gradually pour water over the body, while the water temperature should not be less than 20 degrees. Do not suddenly move the victim into cold water. Apply a compress (a bottle of cold water or an ice pack) to the back of your head and forehead. A small child can be wrapped in a wet sheet.

This assistance is provided for mild forms of heatstroke; in more complex situations, additional measures will be required:

• If consciousness becomes clouded, the victim should be given ammonia or ammonia solution to sniff.
• If breathing stops or heart rhythm disturbances, chest compressions and artificial respiration should be performed.

Hospitalization is indicated in most cases; patients at risk will definitely be hospitalized: elderly people, children, pregnant women, people with problems in the cardiovascular system, people with a weakened body (with food poisoning, alcohol intoxication, etc.).

Important! If, within an hour after the appearance of characteristic symptoms, the patient is not provided with timely and correct assistance, then the consequences of heat stroke can be very disastrous, and in especially severe cases can lead to the patient’s disability.

Treatment of heatstroke in adults and children comes down to a series of resuscitation measures. In a hospital setting, the victim is injected intravenously with a cooled saline solution to reduce body temperature and eliminate.

In severe forms, cardiac stimulation is performed by injecting a solution of caffeine-sodium benzoate and intravenously administering a glucose solution. For breathing problems, an intramuscular injection of lobeline hydrochloride is given.

After heatstroke in severe cases, a number of additional studies and tests are carried out to identify possible complications caused by the condition: urine and blood tests, electrocardiogram.

The number of days to treat heatstroke is determined by the severity and duration of overheating. It happens that 1-2 days are enough to restore the body, and sometimes you need to spend several days in bed.

If the patient is discharged, he is prescribed a special diet at home, which involves a reduction in the diet and an increase in plant foods. Additionally, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids: natural compotes, still mineral water, herbal decoctions, tea, bread kvass.

Preventing Heat Stroke

It is easier to prevent heat stroke than to treat this dangerous condition later.

Dr. Komarovsky tells how to prevent the development of heat stroke in children:

• During sunny weather, dress the child in light-colored clothes made from natural fabrics.
• The baby's head should be protected with a hat, even if it is in the shade.
• Avoid being in the sun during active hours: from 10.00 to 17.00.
• The child should not engage in intense physical activity in the heat for a long time.
• A small child should not be allowed to spend his afternoon nap on the beach.
• It is necessary to constantly maintain the child's water balance. At elevated temperatures, fluid consumption should reach three liters per day. Even infants need to be given a little extra water.
• When it is hot, it is periodically necessary to wipe the baby’s body wet with a diaper, and wash the baby more often with cool water.
• If you have the slightest complaint of malaise, you should immediately leave the hot place and seek medical help.

For adults, the rules for preventing heat stroke are similar to those above. It is only possible to add that adults should not abuse alcohol in the heat, and they should not leave the car in the sun in which they are located.

Many parents underestimate the dangers of heat stroke, but in vain - the length of time a child spends in the open sun during the summer season must be strictly controlled

What is heatstroke?

• outside in the summer heat;

Causes of Heat Stroke

• excess weight;
• pathologies of the central nervous system;

Signs in a baby

• baby crying loudly;
• poor appetite;
• general weakness, apathy.

Symptoms in children over one year of age

• dizziness;
• headache;
• strong feeling of thirst;
• increased body temperature;
• skin redness;
• dry lips;
• sudden attacks of vomiting;
• nausea;
• general weakness.

Heat stroke treatment

How to help a baby?

Treatment of children 2-3 years old

• hormonal agents;

Consequences of hyperthermia

Causes of overheating

• high air humidity;

First aid for overheating

Heat stroke is life-threatening for a child. Children's bodies are especially susceptible to sunstroke if they do not drink enough fluids and are exposed to direct sunlight for a long time in the summer.

A child's body produces a huge amount of heat. Typically, bodies cool by sweating and radiating heat through the skin. But on a very sunny and hot day, the natural cooling system can fail, allowing heat to build up in the body to dangerous levels. As a result, heat stroke may occur.

The following signs will help determine that a child has had a heatstroke: dizziness, fever, lethargy, pale skin, vomiting, diarrhea.

Causes

Sunstroke is the most severe form of heat illness and is often accompanied by dehydration. Heat stroke is life-threatening for small children, in particular infants (for children under one year old). Body temperature can rise to 41°C or even higher, leading to brain damage or even death.

One of the reasons that increases the likelihood of sunstroke in children may be increased physical activity (at home, at sea, etc.) in hot weather with insufficient fluid intake. Another reason is dehydration.

Children's dehydrated bodies are unable to sweat quickly enough to dissipate the heat that keeps their body temperature high.

Also, heatstroke in children can occur when you leave them in a parked car for a long time during hot days. When the outside temperature is 33°C and the temperature inside the car can reach up to 51°C in just 20 minutes, your body temperature will quickly rise to dangerous levels.

Overheating occurs especially often in a combination of high temperature and high humidity. Dressing an infant in too many layers of clothing can cause physical stress, leading to overheating even when the ambient temperature is not too hot.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, direct sunlight and insufficient fluid intake will lead to a sharp deterioration in the child’s well-being.

Symptoms and signs

The first signs of dehydration appear as fatigue, thirst, dry lips and tongue, lack of energy and feeling of heat in the body. After some time, the following symptoms appear, the consequences of which are extremely dangerous:

• pale skin;
• confusion in conversation, unconsciousness;
• darkening of urine;
• dizziness;
• fainting;
• hallucinations;
• fatigue;
• headache;
• fast and shallow breathing;
• fast heartbeat;
• muscle or abdominal cramps;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• gastrointestinal bleeding;
• renal failure syndrome;
• acute kidney injury.

Diagnostics

The presence of obvious symptoms already makes it possible to make a diagnosis, but in medical institutions it is imperative to make a differential diagnosis with such diseases as: delirium tremens, hepatic encephalopathy, uremic encephalopathy, hyperthyroidism, meningitis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tetanus, cocaine poisoning, which have similar symptoms and signs.

Tests include:

• blood test - how much sodium, potassium and gases are in the blood to assess how much damage has been caused to the central nervous system;
• urine test - check the color of urine; as a rule, it darkens when the kidneys are overheated, which may be affected by heat stroke;
• checking muscle tissue damage and other internal organ tests.

Treatment

Treatment consists of quickly reducing body temperature to normal levels. If a child experiences heat stroke and at least one of the symptoms appears, call an ambulance immediately. If you can take your child to the hospital yourself, do so as quickly as possible. Follow-up treatment can take place at home.

First aid must be provided without delay, otherwise the consequences may be fatal.

Over time, irreversible processes occur in the body, which subsequently damage the central nervous system, which can lead to disability or even death.

First aid

Waiting for doctors start treating and helping your child yourself, Following a simple strategy to cool your baby's body. The main thing is to do everything quickly:

• move the child to a cooler place or shade;
• remove excess clothing;
• Provide plenty of fluids, give cool liquids containing salt and sugar;
• For a child under one year old, you can give breast milk, formula or baby food.

Reduce the temperature

Reducing the temperature is the first action you should take after calling the doctors. Try to lower your core body temperature as quickly as possible. Monitor your child's consciousness, as sunstroke can very easily lead to fainting. The child's condition is directly related to how long heat stroke lasts.

Do not use antipyretics! The use of antipyretic medications (for example, paracetamol) is inappropriate and even dangerous.

Methods to reduce temperature:

• wet the entire body with water using a sponge or cloth;
• turn on the fan to speed up the heat transfer process;
• wipe the entire skin with alcohol or kefir;
• use ice packs, placing them in the armpits, groin, and neck, since these areas are rich in blood vessels;
• Immerse the victim in a bath or shower with cold water.

Prevention

Prevention is a precautionary measure to prevent heat stroke in a child and other heat-related illnesses.

• If you'll be outdoors, wear a light, wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella to avoid direct sunlight and sunburn.
• Teach your children to always drink plenty of fluids before and during any activity in hot and sunny weather, even if they are not thirsty.
• Babies who are breastfed also need more fluid from the bottle or breast.
• If you are a nursing mother, you should increase your fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

• Dress your children in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• If you go for a walk, take sunglasses, a hat and cream with you.
• Do not allow children to be outdoors during the hottest hours of the day.
• Instruct them to come indoors immediately when they feel ill and to stay indoors until the effects of sunstroke subside.
• The room should be well ventilated, preferably with air conditioning.

And most importantly, never leave your child unattended in a car, on the street, at sea, etc. during the hot season.

Summer is a long-awaited time for every child. At this time of year, especially on hot days, children spend a lot of time outside, so parents should be aware that prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to heatstroke. It is very important to know how to prevent heatstroke and what to do if this trouble does occur to your child.

Many parents underestimate the dangers of heat stroke, but in vain - the length of time a child spends in the open sun during the summer season must be strictly controlled. What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke is a pathological condition of a person that occurs under the influence of high temperatures, in which the process of thermoregulation is disrupted. The body receives a large amount of heat from the outside, in addition to that generated as a result of vital activity, which leads to overheating.

Heatstroke can be caused by prolonged exposure to:

• outside in the summer heat;
• in a room with high air temperature;
• wearing clothes that are too warm and out of season.

Causes of Heat Stroke

The main reason is severe overheating of the body. When you spend a long time in a hot room or outside in the summer heat, a malfunction occurs in the part of the brain responsible for thermoregulation. The heat generated by a person accumulates in the body and cannot be released.

The process of heat transfer in humans occurs when sweat is produced, which evaporates, cooling the body. Heat is also released when cold air is inhaled and capillaries located close to the surface of the skin expand. In summer, the air temperature is high, which means that the body does not release heat to warm it. Other types of thermoregulation do their job well if you do not interfere with them.

In order to protect a child from overheating, it is necessary to ensure that he has something to quench his thirst, and that clothing does not prevent the evaporation of sweat. Liquid from the surface of the body evaporates only if the ambient air is drier than the air under clothing. With high humidity, sweat does not evaporate, but flows down in a stream, while the surface of the skin does not cool. Clothing should not be too tight to the body so as not to interfere with heat dissipation.

The main factors preventing heat transfer are:

• air temperature exceeding body temperature, at which heat is not removed from the body;
• high air humidity values;
• synthetic or too warm clothes;
• prolonged exposure to direct sunlight on the body;
• physical activity in the summer heat;
• excess weight;
• fair-skinned children are more likely to overheat;
• pathologies of the central nervous system;
• unstable thermoregulation system.

Symptoms in children at different ages

Signs of hyperthermia are more pronounced in children than in adults, and the clinical condition can deteriorate very quickly.

Overheating causes dehydration and intoxication of the body, which lead to serious complications and pose a threat to the health and life of the child. If characteristic symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor.

Symptoms of heatstroke in infants vary. In order to provide timely help to a child and avoid the disease progressing to a more severe form, it is necessary to know how overheating in children manifests itself and how long it lasts.

Signs in a baby

Babies under one year old are often hypothermic and easily overheat, so there is no need to wrap them up in a well-warmed room. Heat stroke can be determined by the following signs:

• baby crying loudly;
• the face turns red, the temperature rises;
• Sticky sweat appears on the tummy and back;
• signs of dehydration appear (reddened eyes, dry armpits and lips);
• poor appetite;
• general weakness, apathy.

In infants, the process of dehydration occurs very quickly, so at the first symptoms of heat stroke you should seek medical help.

If a child develops characteristic symptoms, he needs to provide first aid and go to a medical facility. If heatstroke in an infant is not recognized in time, he may become severely dehydrated and lose consciousness.

Symptoms in children over one year of age

Clothes that are too warm can also cause overheating in children over one year old. This is also facilitated by the increased activity of children, during which their body temperature rises, and clothing does not allow the heat to escape. In unventilated, warm rooms, the likelihood of overheating increases.

In children over 1-2 years old, it is much easier to recognize heatstroke, since the symptoms are more pronounced:

• with a mild degree of overheating, children are characterized by increased physical activity, leading to a worsening of the condition;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• strong feeling of thirst;
• increased body temperature;
• skin redness;
• dry lips;
• sudden attacks of vomiting;
• nausea;
• general weakness.

With mild heatstroke, the baby experiences weakness and a constant feeling of thirst, nausea and vomiting are possible. First aid when symptoms appear

At the first symptoms of heatstroke in a child, you should call a doctor. Before their arrival, parents must complete the following steps:

• Move the child to a well-ventilated, cool room.
• Place the baby on a horizontal surface.
• If the child is fainting, you need to raise his legs, after placing a towel or some clothing under them. This position improves blood flow to the head.
• If there is severe vomiting, you need to turn the baby's head to the side to ensure air flow to the lungs.
• If clothing is made of synthetic materials or restricts movement, it must be completely removed.
• To avoid dehydration, the child must be given water to drink. It should be given often in small sips. To restore the salt balance, it is better to give mineral water or saline solutions, such as Regidron, Trihydron, Reosalan - this will help prevent seizures.
• Apply any cloth moistened with water to the back of your head and neck. You can also wipe the child’s body with it or gradually pour water at room temperature. You cannot bring a hot baby into a cold body of water.

If you have heatstroke, apply a cold compress to your child's forehead.

• You need to apply something cold to your forehead, such as a bottle or bag. The newborn can be completely wrapped in a wet towel or sheet.
• For proper breathing, it is necessary to ensure air flow using a fan or newspaper.
• In case of fainting, the baby can be given a cotton swab soaked in a solution of ammonia to sniff, which can be found in any car first aid kit.
• If a child suddenly stops breathing, if the medical team has not arrived yet, it is necessary to give him artificial respiration. To do this, tilt the baby's head back slightly, cover the baby's nose with one hand, and hold the chin with the other. After taking a deep breath, release air into your mouth for a few seconds. When air enters the lungs, the chest should rise.

Heat stroke treatment

Treatment of hyperthermia begins with providing first aid to the child. After the doctors arrive, the patient is hospitalized and treatment continues in a hospital setting. A child who has suffered heatstroke must be treated. Otherwise, it is very difficult to avoid serious consequences for the baby’s health.

How to help a baby?

The first task of parents in case of heatstroke in a baby is to lower body temperature. To do this, he must be completely undressed or unswaddled.

Then move on to other cooling methods:

• wipe the baby’s body with water, the temperature of which should not be lower than 20°C; too cold water can cause a worsening of the condition;
• wrap the newborn in a cold diaper, which needs to be changed every 8-10 minutes;
• Place the child in a bath of water at room temperature for 5-7 minutes.

If the procedures are carried out at home, then it is necessary to have an air conditioner or fan running in the room. If first aid is provided on the street, then the patient is transferred to the shade.

After overheating, the newborn is provided with a constant supply of fluid to the body. Every 30 minutes, the baby needs to drink at least 50 ml of water or breast milk. For hyperthermia accompanied by vomiting, the dose of fluid is increased.

If heatstroke is accompanied by cardiac arrest, the infant is given artificial respiration, alternating it with cardiac massage. Each inhalation should be followed by 5 compressions on the lower part of the sternum.

Treatment of children 2-3 years old

For hyperthermia in a 2-3 year old child, treatment is carried out in a similar way. Emergency doctors assess the general condition of the patient and, if necessary, hospitalize him in a hospital.

Treatment of heat stroke depends on its severity; sometimes doctors insist on hospitalization of the child

The drug therapy regimen for children under 4 years of age is as follows:

• taking antishock and antipyretic drugs with a dosage appropriate to the child’s age;
• intravenous administration of solutions to normalize electrolyte balance in the child’s body;
• taking hormonal drugs to improve hemodynamics;
• anticonvulsants are prescribed as needed;
• in critical situations, tracheal intubation is performed.

Therapy for children over 3 years of age

Children of preschool and school age have more stable thermoregulation, but despite this, they can also get heat stroke if they spend a long time in the sun or in a very hot room. In a hospital setting, therapy is carried out using the following medications:

• the drugs Droperidol and Aminazine are administered intravenously according to the instructions;
• saline solutions are infused using a dropper to prevent dehydration and normalize electrolyte levels;
• cardiotonics normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• hormonal agents;
• anticonvulsants Diazepam and Seduxen are used for treatment only when necessary.

Consequences of hyperthermia

In case of hyperthermia, assistance should be provided immediately. If treatment procedures are not carried out in the first hours after the pathology is detected, the child will experience severe complications:

1. Blood thickening. Occurs due to lack of fluid, leads to heart failure, thrombosis, and heart attack.
2. Severe form of renal failure. In most cases, it appears under the influence of metabolic products formed in the body at high temperatures.
3. Respiratory failure. Associated with changes in the part of the brain responsible for respiratory function. With hyperthermia it manifests itself in an acute form.
4. Damage to the central nervous system, the main symptoms of which are: severe vomiting, fainting, hearing, speech and vision disorders.
5. Shock is one of the most dangerous conditions that occurs due to dehydration. When there is an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, the blood supply to most internal organs is disrupted.

Heatstroke is especially dangerous for young children and older adults. They develop overheating and hypothermia much faster. However, not all parents know how to identify the problem. After reading this article, you will learn what the symptoms and treatment of heat stroke in a child are.

What it is?

The term “heatstroke” refers to a condition that is the result of excessive overheating of the entire body and the brain in particular. In this case, the body loses the ability to maintain its own normal temperature. The lack of adequate thermoregulation leads to a variety of disorders, many of which pose a serious danger to the child.

Hyperthermia (overheating) causes disruption of the functioning of organs and systems.

In childhood, the thermoregulation center, which is located in the brain, is not yet mature enough; it is difficult for the baby to cope with high temperatures. This age-related feature complicates his condition when overheated. If a child has chronic diseases or congenital pathologies, then heat stroke poses a mortal danger.

You should not assume that heatstroke refers only to sun damage that children can get from being exposed to the sun for too long. Heatstroke can also occur in cloudy weather, and not only on the street, but also under the roof - for example, in a bathhouse or sauna.

There are only two reasons why heat stroke develops:

• exposure to high temperatures from outside;
• inability to quickly adapt and compensate for excess overheating.

There are many factors that influence the likelihood of developing this condition.- the age of the child (the younger the baby, the more likely a stroke is), prior use of medications (antibiotics, immunostimulants or immunosuppressants, as well as hormonal agents), a tendency to allergies and even increased sensitivity to weather changes, which, by the way, is observed in most children.

The most harmful effects of heat affect children with diabetes, heart and vascular diseases, including congenital malformations, children suffering from bronchial asthma, children with mental illness and diseases of the nervous system, very thin children and overweight toddlers, and also on children with hepatitis.

The most dangerous age for the development of severe heat stroke is 1-2-3 years.

Among the additional negative factors that in every possible way contribute to the occurrence of pathology are closed clothing that creates a greenhouse effect, increased air humidity, and dehydration in a child. Heatstroke is especially dangerous, which occurs when several unfavorable circumstances coincide - for example, in a small child whose parents took him on vacation to an exotic country, because. Complex biological processes of acclimatization are added to age. In combination with the heat, the effect will not take long to occur, and such a baby may well end up in intensive care.

Many parents still confuse sunstroke and heatstroke. Having provided the child with a Panama hat and a sun umbrella, they believe that he is reliably protected from overheating. Such a little one is indeed protected from sunstroke, but he can easily get heatstroke either in a hat or under an umbrella in the shade - if he stays in the heat for too long.

The thermoregulation center is located in the intermediate section of the brain. When overheated, a “failure” occurs in its functioning, and the body cannot effectively and quickly get rid of excess heat. Usually this physiological process occurs with sweating. In response to heat, the thermoregulation center sends a signal to the sweat glands of the skin, which begin to actively produce sweat. Sweat evaporates from the surface of the skin and cools the body.

When a child has a heat stroke, the signal from the brain about the need to produce sweat is delayed, not enough sweat is produced, and children's sweat ducts are narrow due to age, which also makes it difficult to sweat (in the right amount and at the right speed).

Now imagine that with all this, the child is dressed in synthetic clothing, which makes evaporation difficult, and does not consume enough fluid. Too humid air (for example, in the tropics or in a bathhouse) does not promote evaporation at all. Sweat is released and flows down in streams, but there is no relief, the body does not cool down.

Heatstroke may be caused by increased physical activity. in the heat - outdoor games on the beach, for example. Children with fair skin and blue eyes suffer the most from heatstroke. They overheat faster and release excess heat more slowly.

The critical temperature is considered to be above 30 degrees Celsius, for newborns - above 25 degrees Celsius.

Symptoms and signs

There are four clinical forms of heat stroke:

• Asphyxial. All symptoms are associated with respiratory dysfunction, including the development of respiratory failure.
• Hyperthermic. With this form, a high temperature is observed, the thermometer rises above 39.5-41.0 degrees.
• Cerebral. With this form of heat stroke, various disturbances in the child’s nervous activity are observed - delirium, convulsions, tics, and so on.
• Gastroenteric. Manifestations of this form are usually limited to gastrointestinal disorders - vomiting, diarrhea.

You can recognize the characteristic signs of general hyperthermia in a child by the following symptoms:

• Redness of the skin. If, when exposed to the rays of the sun, the area of ​​erythema is limited to the area of ​​exposure, then with general heat stroke, the erythema is continuous - absolutely all the skin turns red.
• Difficulty, rapid breathing, shortness of breath. Such signs develop with any type of general temperature damage. Frequent difficulty breathing in this case is the body’s attempts to cool itself through the lungs.
• General weakness, apathy. The child looks tired, sleepy, he wants to lie down, and ceases to show interest in what is happening.

• Nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are more characteristic of the gastroenteric form, but can accompany other types of heat stroke.
• Dizziness. It can be insignificant, or it can be expressed quite clearly, up to episodes of loss of balance.
• Hallucinations. Visual hallucinations accompany almost all types of heatstroke. They usually manifest themselves in the subjective perception of non-existent points in front of the eyes, the so-called floaters. Young children may respond by waving their arms in an attempt to “drive them away.”
• Rapid and weak pulse. It exceeds normal values ​​by approximately one and a half times and is difficult to palpate.

• Dry skin. The skin feels rougher, drier and hotter to the touch.
• Cramps and muscle pain. Convulsions can affect only the limbs, or can spread to the entire body. More often, convulsive syndrome is in the nature of trembling of the arms and legs.
• Sleep and appetite disturbances. Both parameters can be violated to a certain extent, which can lead to the child’s complete refusal of food, water and sleep.
• Incontinence. The inability to control urination and bowel movements occurs only in severe heat stroke associated with loss of consciousness.

When symptoms characteristic of hyperthermia appear, parents should assess the severity of the condition.

In mild cases, the child's skin always remains moist. A complex of symptoms is observed: headache, fever, lethargy, nausea and shortness of breath, as well as increased heart rate. But there is no loss of consciousness, there are no neurological manifestations.

With moderate severity, the temperature is high, the baby moves little and reluctantly, and short-term episodes of loss of consciousness may occur. The headache increases, symptoms of intoxication appear - vomiting and diarrhea (or one or the other). The skin is red and hot.

In severe cases, the child becomes delirious, loses consciousness, experiences convulsions, speech may be confused, and there are hallucinations. The temperature is at 41.0, sometimes reaching 42.0 degrees. The skin is red, dry and very hot.

Heatstroke can be distinguished from sunstroke by a combination of clinical signs. After excessive exposure to the sun, only severe headache and nausea are observed, and the temperature rarely rises to 39.5 degrees.

Danger and consequences

Heat injury for a child is dangerous primarily due to dehydration. With extreme heat, fever and the manifestation of a gag reflex, it occurs very quickly. The younger the toddler, the faster he loses his moisture reserves. This is a deadly condition.

High heat associated with heatstroke can trigger febrile seizures and other neurological disorders in a child. Severe degrees of impact are the most dangerous, and the prognosis for them is rather dubious.

Mild degrees of heat stroke usually have no or minimal consequences. Moderate and severe cases can lead to the development of renal failure, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, as well as long-term consequences, which are mainly expressed by serious neurological disorders. Sometimes they stay with the child for life.

Severe overheating of the brain can cause a wide range of disorders in all organs and systems.

First aid

If your child shows signs of heatstroke, you should call an ambulance as soon as possible. While doctors are on call, the parents’ task is to properly provide emergency care. The main direction is cooling the body. And the main thing here is not to overdo it.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• The child is placed in the shade and brought into a cool room, securely protected from sunlight. If the blow happened after the bath, they take it outside.
• All tight and tight-fitting clothing is removed. They unbutton their pants and take off their belts.
• The child should be placed on his back if there is no nausea, or on his side if there is nausea and vomiting. The baby's legs are slightly raised by placing a folded towel or any other object under them.
• Cold compresses are applied to the forehead, back of the head, hands, and feet. Pieces of cloth and towels soaked in cold water will do. However, ice should never be used, as excessive cooling can cause vascular collapse.

• Open all windows if the child is indoors to ensure there is no lack of fresh air.
• While waiting for the doctor, you can pour cool water over your body (the temperature of the liquid is from 18 to 20 degrees, no less). If it is possible to fill the bathtub with water at this temperature, it is worth doing this and immersing the child in the water, leaving only the head above the surface of the water.
• During attacks of loss of consciousness, the child is given ammonia to smell.

• During convulsions, they do not hold the child’s body, do not straighten the cramped muscles, this is fraught with fractures. You cannot unclench your teeth and shove an iron spoon into the baby’s mouth - you can break the teeth, the fragments of which can get into the respiratory tract.
• In all cases (except for loss of consciousness and convulsions), the child is given plenty of warm drinks. After fainting, they also give sweet, weak tea. Giving your child strong tea is prohibited, as this can negatively affect cardiac activity.
• In the absence of breathing and heartbeat, emergency artificial respiration is performed and indirect cardiac massage is performed.
• You should not give your child any medications until the medical team arrives. If there are convulsions and episodes of loss of consciousness, you should definitely record the time of the beginning and end of the attacks in order to provide this information to the visiting doctor.

A child with mild heatstroke will be treated at home.

Moderate and severe conditions require hospitalization.

First medical aid, of course, will be provided on the spot. If necessary, the child will undergo a cardiac massage, perform artificial respiration, and administer medications to normalize cardiac activity. But the rest will be done by the doctors at the children's hospital.

Typically, intensive rehydration therapy is carried out on the first day. A large amount of saline solutions with minerals necessary for the normal functioning of the heart and nervous system is infused intravenously. When the risk of dehydration subsides, the child is examined by all specialists, primarily a cardiologist, neurologist, and pediatrician. If pathologies caused by hyperthermia are detected, appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

High fever after heatstroke usually lasts for several days. During this time, the child is recommended to take paracetamol-based antipyretics.

Mild heat stroke should be treated at home taking into account the same requirements. Reduce the temperature, if it rises to high values, give the child oral rehydration solutions - Smecta, Regidron.

When the first signs of dehydration appear, you should not hesitate to hospitalize, since removing a child from such a state at home is not a task for the faint of heart. Trying to do this yourself can end very disastrously.

At home, the baby can be wrapped in a damp, cool diaper several times a day; for an older child, you can provide a cool bath or shower. A big mistake parents make is turning on fans or air conditioning while wet wrapping. Very often, such “treatment” ends in the development of pneumonia.

During home treatment, it is important to give the child as much fluid as possible; all food should be light and quickly digestible. You need to feed your child only when he asks for it. It is better to give preference to vegetable soups with lean broth, jelly, fruit drinks, cereals without butter, fruit and vegetable salads.

The diet should be followed until all symptoms disappear completely and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized.

Prevention

Parents' prudence and their observance of simple safety rules will help protect a child from heat stroke:

• If you are planning a vacation on the beach or long walks in the hot season, you should make sure that the child has clothes made from natural fabrics, in which the baby’s skin can “breathe” freely and evaporate sweat. It is best to wear light-colored clothing as it reflects sunlight and reduces the chance of overheating.
• When on the beach, on a walk, or in the bathhouse, the child’s head should always be covered with a light-colored Panama hat or a special bathing cap.

• You should not walk for a long time or sunbathe after 11 am and before 16 pm. Before and after this time, you can sunbathe and walk, but with restrictions. A child (especially a newborn or infant) should not be in the open sun, even during “safe” hours.
• If the child is small, then it is better to avoid active beach activities (trampoline, banana ride, beach ball game).
• Parents who do not see anything wrong with spending time together with their baby on the beach should remember that the baby should under no circumstances spend his afternoon nap there, even if he is lying under an umbrella in the shade. This increases the likelihood of heat stroke tenfold.
• During the hot season, as well as when visiting a bathhouse or sauna, be sure to give your child plenty of fluids to drink. Carbonated drinks are not suitable for this purpose. It is better to use boiled and pre-cooled compote, fruit juice, and ordinary drinking water.

• Never leave your child in a closed car in a parking lot near a store or other establishments during the hot season. At a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius, the car interior overheats within 15 minutes. At the same time, the temperature inside the cabin is significantly higher than the thermometer outside. Very often such stories end in the death of children.
• Do not feed your baby tightly or generously in hot weather. Moreover, fatty foods should be avoided. It is better to give light fruits and vegetables and thin soups during the day.

It is better to postpone a substantial meal until the evening, when it becomes cool. You should not take your child out for a walk immediately after eating. If it’s hot outside, then you can go for a walk only an hour and a half after lunch or breakfast.

Dr. Komarovsky will talk about how to protect a child from heat stroke in the next video.

The holiday season is ahead. Over the winter, we all missed the sun and warmth. But the sun and heat are not as harmless as they seem at first glance. Even in our latitudes, no one is safe from sun and heatstroke. Especially when it comes to children.

Today we’ll talk about a topic that is very relevant for all parents in the summer: heat and sunstroke. Moreover, the relevance remains regardless of where you will relax with your children - at sea or in the country.

Let's look at the causes and symptoms of heat and sunstroke, first aid, and, of course, prevention of such conditions.

The consequences of overheating are often underestimated by parents. Heat stroke in a child is a serious problem. The insidiousness of this condition is that the first symptoms of the disease can be perceived as the onset of a cold or simple malaise and fatigue.

Late diagnosis always leads to an advanced condition and, consequently, to serious consequences that require serious treatment. That’s why every parent needs to know everything about overheating of the body and measures to prevent it.

What is heat and sunstroke?

Heat stroke is a pathological condition in which all thermoregulation processes in the body are disrupted due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. That is, a large amount of heat comes from outside. Additionally, heat is produced in the body itself (the heat production mechanism works), but there is no heat transfer.

Heatstroke can develop outside in hot weather, in a hotly heated room. This can also happen in conditions where the ambient temperature is not very high, if the child is wrapped up very warmly.

Sunstroke is a separate form of heatstroke. This condition is characterized by impaired health due to exposure to direct sunlight directly on the child's head.

Young children are especially susceptible to this condition. In children, thermoregulation processes are still imperfect due to their age. They often develop heatstroke even at low ambient temperatures. Also in young children the disease progresses rapidly.

In infants, the diagnosis of overheating is complicated by the fact that children cannot complain or tell what is bothering them. And the symptoms of a child overheating are nonspecific. Lethargy, capricious behavior, tearfulness can be for various reasons. These symptoms may not always be immediately associated with overheating. Therefore, it is very important to protect babies from the sun and heat, and indeed from any overheating.

Causes of overheating

Although sunstroke is considered a special form of heatstroke, they are not identical. If only because they have different causes.

In other words, if a child is in the shade in hot weather with a hat, then he will not have sunstroke, but he is not immune from developing heatstroke.

The cause of heat stroke is general overheating of the entire body due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Due to overheating, a breakdown occurs in the functioning of the thermoregulation center in the diencephalon. The body actively produces heat, but cannot give it away.

Heat loss normally occurs mainly through the production of sweat. Sweat, evaporating from the surface of the skin, cools the human body.

Additional options for heat transfer are the expenditure of energy (heat) to warm the inhaled air and expand the blood capillaries at the surface of the skin (the person blushes).

During hot weather, little heat is spent on warming the inhaled air. And two other thermoregulation mechanisms work. If we don’t interfere with them, of course...

What should I do to avoid interfering? It's simple! Firstly, parents should pay special attention to ensuring that the child has something to sweat with and that his clothes allow the sweat to evaporate.

There is one more nuance here. Liquid (in this case, sweat) evaporates if the surrounding air is drier than the layer of air directly next to the body, under clothing. When humidity is high, sweat flows in a stream, but does not evaporate. Simple laws of physics apply. Consequently, skin cooling does not occur.

Plus, to prevent overheating, clothing should be loose so that heat from the dilated blood capillaries is freely removed from the skin.

Let’s summarize what has been said and add something, systematically answering the question: “What leads to a violation of heat transfer?”

So, the following factors complicate heat transfer and cooling of the body:

• heat (air temperature above 30°C). At temperatures above 36°C, heat is not removed from the surface of the skin at all, and sweat does not evaporate;
• high air humidity;
• improperly dressed (dressed too warmly or wearing synthetic clothing in which the skin cannot breathe and sweat does not evaporate or absorb);
• prolonged exposure to the sun (no shade);
• intense physical activity in the heat;
• deficiency of fluid intake (the child drinks little);
• Excess subcutaneous fat in plump children interferes with the release of heat.
• fair-skinned, fair-haired children tolerate heat less well;
• taking antiallergic (antihistamine) drugs slows down heat transfer;
• disruption of the heat transfer process may occur due to pathology of the central nervous system or due to the physiological immaturity of the thermoregulation system in infants.

Heatstroke can also develop in children who are in a closed car in the heat or during a traffic jam, when the car is practically motionless. When the air temperature outside is about 32-33°C, the temperature inside the car can rise to 50°C within 15-20 minutes.

Now let's talk about sunstroke. It is a consequence of exposure to direct rays of the sun on a person’s head. That is, the cause of sunstroke can be expressed in a simple phrase: “My head is hot.”

The time for symptoms of sunstroke to appear varies. It happens that something wrong is felt immediately while being in the sun. But often the symptoms of sunstroke develop delayed, 6-9 hours after returning from a walk in direct sunlight.

Main signs of heat stroke

In the clinic, heat stroke can be divided into three degrees of severity.

In mild cases, headache, dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and dilated pupils appear. The skin is moist.

Even with a mild form of heatstroke, you should definitely consult a doctor. If help was provided to the child on time, hospitalization is usually not necessary.

Moderate heat stroke is characterized by an increasing headache combined with nausea and vomiting. The skin is red. Temperature increases to 40°C are typical. Heart rate and respiratory rate increase.

The child has pronounced adynamia (reluctance to move). Confused consciousness occurs, a state of stupefaction occurs, and the baby’s movements are uncertain. Pre-syncope or brief loss of consciousness may occur.

A severe form is indicated by loss of consciousness, a coma-like state, and the appearance of convulsions. Psychomotor agitation, hallucinations, and confusion of speech may also develop.

On examination, the skin is dry and hot. The temperature reaches 42°C, the pulse is weak and frequent (up to 120-130 beats per minute). Breathing is frequent, shallow, intermittent. A short-term cessation of breathing is possible. Heart sounds are muffled.

Main symptoms of sunstroke

Weakness, lethargy, headache, accompanied by nausea and vomiting are pronounced.

Often one of the first signs of a stroke is vomiting or diarrhea. Older children complain of ringing in the ears and flashing of flies. The baby's body temperature rises.

The skin is red, especially on the face and head. The pulse is frequent and weak, breathing is rapid. Increased sweating is observed. Nosebleeds often occur.

Symptoms of severe damage are similar to those of heatstroke (loss of consciousness, disorientation, rapid and then slow breathing, convulsive muscle contractions).

Doctors identify another concept when heat exchange is disrupted - heat exhaustion. This condition may precede the development of a more serious pathological condition - heat stroke. Thus, we can say that heat exhaustion is a pre-heat stroke.

If heat exhaustion is not diagnosed in a timely manner or treated adequately, the process can progress and lead to disastrous consequences, sometimes even fatal.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in comparison table:

First aid for overheating

1. Move baby to a shaded or cool, ventilated area. Try to keep the space around the victim open. It is necessary to exclude mass gatherings of people (onlookers). Call an ambulance.
2. Place the child in a horizontal position.
3. If consciousness is impaired, the legs should be in an elevated position. Place clothing or a towel under your ankles. This will increase blood flow to the brain.
4. If nausea or vomiting has already begun, turn your head to the side so that the child does not choke on vomit.
5. Remove your baby's outer clothing. Release your neck and chest. It is better to remove thick or synthetic clothing altogether.
6. The child must be thoroughly fed with water. Give water in small portions, but often. The water should not be very cold, as this can cause stomach cramps and vomiting. It is better to drink mineral water or special salt solutions (Regidron, Normohydron). The baby loses salts through sweat. Due to their rapid mass loss, the concentration of electrolytes in the body decreases. This may cause seizures. Saline solutions quickly restore the water-electrolyte composition
7. Wet any cloth with cool water and apply it to the forehead, neck or back of the head. Wipe your baby's body with a wet cloth. You can gradually pour more and more water over your body with a temperature of about 20°C. You cannot suddenly bring a hot baby into the water (sea, pond).
8. Then apply a cold compress (a bag or bottle of cold water) to your forehead or back of your head. A very small child can be wrapped in a wet diaper or sheet.
9. Provide fresh air. Fan it with a fan-like motion.
10. If the baby's consciousness becomes clouded, carefully let him sniff a cotton ball soaked in 10% ammonia (available in any car first aid kit).
11. In an emergency situation, when the baby stops breathing, when the medical team has not yet arrived, you need to save the child yourself. You will have to remember what was taught in medical or military training classes. You need to tilt the child's head back slightly so that the chin moves forward. One hand should be placed on the chin and the other should cover the child's nose. Take a breath. Release air into the baby's mouth for 1-1.5 seconds, clasping the baby's lips tightly. Make sure your baby's chest rises. This way you will understand that the air went into the lungs. After suffering from heat illness, it is simply necessary to adhere to bed rest for several days. These recommendations should not be violated. After all, this time is necessary for a small organism to restore the normal functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, to normalize some metabolic processes.

10 main rules for preventing thermal disorders

Parents should always remember about measures to prevent such conditions. Children are a risk group. They can experience heatstroke or sunstroke even with short exposure to the sun or in a stuffy, hot room.

It is better to prevent thermal disorders in children in advance.

1. When walking in sunny weather, dress your child in light-colored clothes made from natural fabrics. White color reflects the sun's rays. Loose natural fabrics allow the body to breathe and sweat to evaporate.
2. Always protect your baby's head with a light-colored panama hat or a hat with a brim. For older children, protect their eyes with tinted glasses.
3. Avoid resting during the sunniest hours. These are hours from 12 o'clock to 16 o'clock, and in the southern regions - even from 10 o'clock in the morning to 5 o'clock in the evening.
4. The child should not be in direct sunlight, that is, in open areas. It should be in the shade (under an umbrella, the sandbox should have a roof).
5. Plan your vacation so that your child does not have intense physical activity in the heat (trampoline jumping, air slides, excursions).
6. Alternate sunbathing (up to 20 minutes) with swimming. It is better to sunbathe while on the move, and only in the morning and evening. Under no circumstances should a child spend his afternoon nap on the beach.
7. Children are strictly prohibited from sunbathing, so do not insist that your child lie on the beach (sunbathe) with you. Don't be outraged that he can't lie or sit quietly for more than three seconds))
8. Children should drink a lot! Under normal conditions, a child should drink 1-1.5 liters of liquid. When the air temperature rises above 30 degrees, this volume can amount to up to 3 liters of water. Maintaining fluid balance is one of the important measures to prevent heat illness. Even breastfed infants need additional water. It will be more convenient for mommy to give it not through a spoon, but from a syringe without a needle. In this case, you need to direct the stream of water along the wall of the cheek. That way he won't spit it out. Otherwise, he will definitely do it. He will quickly realize that this is not mother’s milk at all, but something much less tasty... Although it must be said that some children drink water very willingly.
9. Periodically wipe your baby's face and hands with a wet diaper. Wash your baby more often. This will help cool him down and wash away the irritating sweat that instantly causes prickly heat in children.
10. Proper nutrition in the heat is also worth paying attention to. In hot weather, you should not eat heavily. Children, as a rule, do not want to eat during sunny hours. Give your child the opportunity to snack on juicy fruits and vegetables, and light milk products. Move a full meal to the evening. In hot weather, do not rush to go outside immediately after eating. At best, this can be done only after an hour.
11. If you have the slightest suspicion of feeling unwell or unwell, immediately stop walking or relaxing on the beach. Seek medical attention.

These simple rules will help you and your children enjoy sunny weather without fear for their health. May the sun be your joy!

In hot weather, poor ventilation and high humidity, there is a high risk of heat stroke. Due to the high air temperature, the human body quickly overheats, metabolism becomes much faster, and blood vessels swell, while capillary permeability increases significantly. Therefore, during heatstroke, a person’s well-being sharply worsens and a number of alarming symptoms appear. This is where the questions become especially relevant: how long does heat stroke last, and how can this condition be overcome?

Under what conditions is there a risk of heatstroke?

Heatstroke can affect not only those who spend time under the hot sun, but also drivers in their cars, workshop workers, athletes and other people of various occupations. Even sauna and bathhouse workers or an office employee whose air conditioner has broken down are at risk.

For heat stroke, 3 components are sufficient:

1. Heat.
2. High humidity.
3. Excessive heat production.

Muscle activity can also lead to heatstroke.

At first glance, heat stroke does not seem so serious and dangerous to a person’s health and life, but without timely help it can lead to vascular collapse, coma and even death. A person in a state of heat stroke needs outside help and prompt restoration of water-salt balance. And, if you suspect that a person close to you or even someone you don’t know has symptoms of heatstroke, then rush to offer him help.

The danger of heatstroke in children

Heat strokes are especially common in children, since, given their anatomical characteristics, increased heat production is often pathological.

This is due to the following features:

• children's bodies are much smaller;
• heat transfer and heat production are not stable;
• the thermogenesis core is easily irritated;
• compensatory mechanisms are unstable.

Heatstroke is much more severe than in an adult and can cause:

• strong expansion of capillaries;
• blood clots and arterial-venous shunts;
• the occurrence of metabolic pathologies;
• intoxication of the body;
• hypoxia and other disorders.

All this is detrimental to a young body and can lead to the development of kidney, liver and heart disease.

Heat stroke symptoms and first aid

Heat stroke can be determined by the following symptoms:

• dry mouth and thirst;
• weakness and body aches;
• severe headache;
• difficulty breathing and stuffiness;
• painful sensation behind the sternum;
• constant aching pain in the lower extremities and back.

Also, during heat stroke, breathing and the frequency of myocardial contractions accelerate. Hypothermia causes the skin to become pink with signs of irritation. After some time, blood pressure begins to decrease significantly and urination is impaired. Sometimes in children with heatstroke, the body temperature reaches 41 degrees, which has a very bad effect on health and is fraught with serious complications.

Symptoms that require urgent hospitalization:

• the face looks swollen;
• the skin has a cyanotic appearance;
• breathing is difficult and intermittent;
• the pupils are noticeably dilated;
• alarming muscle cramps appeared;
• fever;
• diarrhea and gastroenteritis;
• urination stops.

How long heat stroke lasts depends on many factors, but, first of all, on its degree. Thus, a mild degree of heat stroke is accompanied by redness of the skin and a temperature of up to 39, or even 41 degrees. This condition can last for 2-4 days spent on rest. If brain neurons are damaged as a result of heat stroke, then even long-term treatment with modern medications will not help to fully restore health.

There is a group of people who are especially at risk for heatstroke. It includes those who have an innate sensitivity to high temperature, as well as people who are overweight, suffer excessive stress and are in a state of psycho-emotional overstrain, have cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, neurological diseases, are intoxicated, smoke, wear in thick clothes, etc.

Most often, heat stroke manifests itself in the form of extreme thirst (a person cannot get drunk), weakness, muscle pain and a gradual acceleration of the pulse. If the disease progresses to a more severe form, then convulsions appear, involuntary bowel movements and urination occur. The condition may worsen and the patient will begin to vomit and bleed. Although children are more at risk from the sun than adults, they are able to heal on their own without the need for hospitalization due to their reactivity. Adults, on the contrary, suffer even a small heatstroke much more difficult and even with moderate severity they require immediate mandatory hospitalization.

If the first signs of an impact are detected, it is necessary to provide assistance to the victim and carry out the following procedures:

• drink as much water as possible to stop dehydration;
• loosen the collar and belt;
• cool the skin;
• remove synthetic clothing;

In most cases, it is simply enough to take the person into a cool room or shade, give him water and wet his skin with cool water so that he feels relief. If the symptoms indicate moderate or severe heat stroke, you should do the same, but also lay the victim down, elevate his legs and call an ambulance.

Medical care for heatstroke

Moderate or severe heatstroke requires qualified medical attention.

As a rule, the following drugs are used for treatment:

1. Antipyretics (paracetamol and ibuprofen);
2. Vasoconstrictors (Cavinton, Vinpocetine, Trental);
3. Painkillers (analgin and infulgan).

Antipyretic drugs are used only if the temperature exceeds 39 degrees. Basically, small doses of paracetamol are used; antipyretics in the form of suppositories are prescribed for children. In very severe cases, an infulgan is used intravenously. Antipyretics can shorten the course of the disease and normalize blood supply. If the patient does not recover, hydrocortisone and prednisolone are used in rare cases. These drugs must be administered very carefully, gradually increasing the dose and decreasing it when it is discontinued. Patients are also given cleansing enemas and recommended to take a daily cool shower to relieve overheating.

How to treat heatstroke at home

You can manage the symptoms of heatstroke at home using a number of methods:

• apply cool compresses to the head to relieve headaches and reduce fever;
• apply cold compresses to the great vessels and liver to reduce the temperature and prevent complications;
• rinse the stomach;
• do warm enemas;
• wrap in a cool sheet or diaper.

Wrapping yourself in a cool cloth is one of the simplest and oldest ways to cope with heatstroke. In particular, children are often wrapped in swaddling clothes, as this can quickly lower body temperature, soothe and reduce the discomfort caused by heat stroke. You can also take a cool shower and stand under the water for as long as possible. For mild strokes, cool wraps and compresses are usually enough to provide relief. Several procedures and rest will allow you to quickly forget about heat stroke and return to a normal rhythm of life.

If all these actions do not bring results and there is no noticeable improvement in the condition, then medications are needed.

To avoid complications, it is worth using special preparations and mixtures in time in addition to physical methods. So, it is safest to prepare a lytic mixture (aminazine, dibazole and pipolfen are mixed in novocaine), which quite effectively combats the consequences of heat stroke.

For even greater results, you can use droperidol, and sodium hydroxybutyrate and seduxen will help with muscle cramps. You should not use antipyretics when the temperature has dropped to 37.5 and carry out active drug treatment unless there are compelling reasons for this. Particular care must be taken when handling children. Do not rush to apply therapeutic procedures and “bring down” the temperature. In case of heatstroke, it is important to prevent complications, and temperature is only one of the symptoms and is not the object of treatment.

When does heat stroke start and how long does it last?

It is difficult to determine the duration of heat stroke, since its first symptoms can always be noticed at the very beginning. Often, dry mouth, thirst, weakness and headache already indicate that you have suffered heatstroke. However, these symptoms may not be paid attention to, and only when arrhythmia appears, the temperature rises and other symptoms appear, it becomes clear that the problem is heat stroke. Then it can progress to a severe stage, and even cause damage to the nervous system.

Heat stroke and the fever that accompanies it have stages of development and decline:

1. Prodromal (often occurs almost unnoticeably);
2. Elevation (can be critical or lyrical);
3. Stability;
4. Reverse lysis.

At the beginning, heatstroke seems to warm up. The nervous system is in extremely high tone, but the peripheral arteries are not, at the same time the blood flow is “centralized”. Due to problems with peripheral microcirculation, the so-called “goose bumps” appear, accompanied by chills, trembling and a sharp feeling of cold. By not missing this moment and starting to act already at this stage, you can prevent unpleasant consequences and quickly overcome heat stroke. Symptoms at this stage manifest differently and with varying degrees of severity in different people. Some people clearly feel the changes, while others begin to understand that they received heatstroke only at the stage of rising fever.

The development of the disease is critical when the temperature rises to high levels very quickly (on average, in 40-45 minutes), but also quickly decreases if measures are taken and treatment is carried out. The lyrical course of the disease is much more dangerous and longer lasting. It is largely prolonged and may not be accompanied by a constantly high temperature, but it is accompanied by lethargy, drowsiness, a drop in blood pressure and an accelerated heart rate. It is important to rest throughout this period and not try to endure the disease on your feet, because serious complications are possible.

With rest and proper treatment, you can quickly move into the stability phase, when deterioration is no longer observed, and move into the reverse lysis stage. At this stage, you will feel a noticeable drop in temperature and an improvement in your well-being.

How to Avoid Heat Stroke

As already mentioned, there are people predisposed to heatstroke, but they can also avoid danger if they are careful. It is important to avoid dehydration, small stuffy rooms, not to stay in the sun for long periods of time and not to wear heavy, dense fabrics in hot weather. If you feel unwell, try to go to a place where there is shade and coolness, drink water, and wet your face and head with cold water.

Children must be carefully monitored, always wear a hat, give them water to drink, and not allow them to play in the sun for long periods of time. Even if you or your child is at risk, only care and caution will determine whether there is a real chance of getting heatstroke. It is very easy to avoid treatment and serious consequences; you just need to follow simple rules. If you were unable to protect yourself, then you should take all possible measures to ensure that the heatstroke lasts as little as possible and does not give you serious reasons for concern.