A sunstroke in children can occur quickly because the little ones often do not realize that they are too warm. Parents should pay attention to these warning signs!
How does a sunstroke develop in children?
The sunlight on the head and neck irritate the meninges. The first symptoms appear in a sunstroke but usually only hours later, when the child is no longer in the sun or the heat. Parents should be aware of the following sunstroke signs :
- Hot and reddened head (other temperatures on the body rather inconspicuous)
- a headache
- Stiff neck / neck pain
- Inner unrest
- Nausea and vomiting
- Disturbances of consciousness
- Babies usually scream loud and shrill
Why does a sunburn or sunstroke in children happen so easily?
Children and infants are the most susceptible to sunstroke in addition to the elderly . There are several reasons for that:
- Head Condition: Newborns do not have a completely closed skullcap, but displaceable bone plates. There are gaps between them – the so-called front anels. The largest of them, which runs directly above the forehead, grows only after two to three years finally. As long as this point on the head is particularly sensitive. In addition, children generally have a larger head and thus more sensitive skin surface in relation to adults.
- Hair: The younger the child, the less hair it has or the lighter they are. And hair acts as protection from the sun, among other things.
- Sweat ability: babies and children can not yet regulate their own heat balance. The vital ability to perspire, through which the skin is cooled, develops in babies only for several months. In addition, they generally heat up faster than adults – often without even realizing it.
First Aid: What to do if I suspect a sunstroke in children?
There are several measures that can be taken if a child sunstroke is suspected:
- The child should be dwarfed for sun-stroke treatment , if not already done.
- The child should rest in a cool, shady environment with his head and head up high.
- Cold and damp compresses help to cool neck and head.
- If the child is conscious and does not vomit, it should take some fluids – preferably bottled water. Do not leave the child alone, watch it and calm down.
- If the child becomes unconscious, the condition does not improve within 20 minutes or even worsens, should the emergency physician be called immediately.
Even worse than the sunstroke: Beware of the heat stroke!
If the skin is reddened, dry and hot not only on the head but also on the whole body, and the child suffers from increased body temperature to fever (often over 40 degrees), there could be a heat stroke (more about heat stroke symptoms can be found here). This is life-threatening – it must be called immediately the ambulance. Until this comes, the child should be taken off and carefully chilled everywhere with damp cloths. Drinking is allowed only when it is conscious and does not suffer from nausea.