What is overheating of the body and when does it occur most often? Why should children not overheat, and how to prevent it? What you need to know about side effects of overheating the body? What are symptoms of the baby overheating, and what effects? Whether fever in a child from overheating only happens in hot weather? Ile u child maybe overheating of the body? What to do when this happens - how to treat a child overheating?
In our country, there is a widespread belief that wrapping a child on all sides, regardless of the weather, is an expression of care for the toddler, as it prevents cooling down, colds and other respiratory infections. In fact, however, the opposite is true. We explain what it is below overheating of the bodywhy it often happens overheating in children and what symptoms it can call u baby. However, in order not to check in practicehow to treat a child overheating and what could be his side effects, we also suggest how to prevent it.
Overheating of the body, which is what?
Overheating, otherwise known as hyperthermia, is state in which the body temperature rises above normal as a result of too much heat accumulation in the body, which disturbs the natural thermoregulatory processes (weakens natural cooling capacity). It is the opposite of hypothermia and can be caused by both external factors (heat, sun, hot bath) and internal factors (disorders of the heat dissipation process, damage to the thermoregulation center).
Children, especially newborns and infants, are more prone to overheating than adults due to the still immature thermoregulation system. The risk of overheating also increases in the elderly.
Symptoms of baby overheating
The baby overheats gradually. It is important to react at the right time and get the child down without leading to hyperthermia and its effects. So how do they develop symptoms of the baby overheating? At first, we can observe a change in the child's behaviorwhich becomes:
- tearful and irritable,
- sleepy and lethargic.
Further symptoms may be:
- reddened skin of the face (mainly the cheeks),
- heat rash (red lumps and pimples or superficial vesicles)
- low-grade fever,
- dehydration (dry diaper).
It is important that in the event of such signs check body temperature. To do this, you can touch your child's neck with your hand. If your toddler is too warm - it will be not only warm, but also humid. It should be warm and dry properly.
Fever in a child from overheating
Hyperthermia can lead to the life-threatening condition it is heatstrokewhich, due to its rapid course, requires immediate medical attention. Body temperature is then significantly elevated - exceeds 40 degrees C.
In addition, there may be symptoms such as:
- decreased urine output;
- sunken fontanel;
- diarrhea;
- vomiting.
Confusion, disturbance or loss of consciousness and convulsions may occur. Such a condition means the need for urgent medical intervention, therefore fever in a child from overheating it is a signal that cannot be ignored.
Overheating of a child's body: how long does it take?
Smaller children have less blood circulating in their bodies, and that makes them they overheat faster. It is impossible to say how long it takes a child's body to overheat, because it all depends on his predisposition and the time of exposure to factors that may cause overheating.
This condition may last for several hours, although it may last up to several days. It is very important to recognize symptoms early and react quickly when it comes to giving the right help.
The effects of overheating the body
Overheating a child may have very negative effects:
- can lead to heat stroke, putting the child's life at risk;
- increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) in infants;
- favors the occurrence of prickly heat;
- it causes drowsiness, bad mood, whining and tearfulness.
Side effects of overheating the body to disturbance of its thermoregulatory abilities, and decrease in immunity baby (an overheated, sweaty baby is more prone to infections).
Child overheating: how to treat?
Overheating should be handled as follows:
- You must first move the child to a cooler roome.g. in the bathroom and remove excess clothes. You can additionally open a window.
- The next step is cooling with lukewarm water - you can use a cloth compress or dampen the towel with cool tap water. It is important not to use ice or gel compresses straight from the freezer. They can cause thermal shock, which will constrict the skin vessels and reduce heat elimination. It is best to use compresses on the groin and armpits.
- one can give your child fluids to drink - at summer temperature. It is important that your toddler drinks them in small portions but often.
Overheating of an infant and an older child: how to prevent it?
So that you do not have to check in practice, how to treat a child overheatingbetter not to let it happen. It is worth taking care not only of clothes suitable for the weather conditions, but also the right temperature and humidity in the house.
Recommended air temperature in the house
Being born means a complete change of living environment – from humid and warm to dry and much cooler. In the first month of life the thermoregulatory center is still developing, so you need to help your toddler during this period, hence the high temperatures in hospital rooms and neonatal wards.
When we are at home with the child, do not raise the temperature to 25-26 degrees. It should oscillate around 21-22 degrees Celsius during the day, and below 20 degrees at night. It is even recommended that it be 18-19 degrees.
Adequate air humidity
In addition to ensuring the right temperature in the room where the little child stays, we should also make sure that the air is properly moistened. The humidity in the house should be 40-60%.
In this context, it is worth considering using an air purifier, e.g Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool™ Formaldehyde PH04, which not only filters the air, but thanks humidification function, also ensures that the optimal humidity level is maintained, providing a healthier environment for the child.