Child overheating: how to prevent and treat?
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's a widespread belief that wrapping a baby up in all directions, regardless of the weather, is a sign of care, as it prevents hypothermia, colds, and other respiratory infections. In reality, however, the opposite is often true. Below, we explain what overheating is , why overheating is common in children , and what symptoms it can cause in an infant . However, rather than trying to test the practical implications of treating overheating in a child and its potential side effects , we also offer suggestions on how to prevent it.
Overheating of the body, which is what?
Overheating, also known as hyperthermia, is a condition in which body temperature rises above normal due to excessive heat accumulation within the body, which disrupts natural thermoregulatory processes (weakens the body's natural ability to cool itself). It is the opposite of hypothermia and can be caused by both external factors (heat, sun, hot bath) and internal factors (impaired heat release, damage to the thermoregulatory center).
Children, especially newborns and infants, are more susceptible to overheating than adults due to their immature thermoregulatory system. The risk of overheating also increases in older adults.
Symptoms of baby overheating
Overheating in infants occurs gradually. It's important to react promptly and cool the baby down to avoid hyperthermia and its consequences. So how do symptoms of overheating in infants develop ? Initially, we may observe a change in the baby's behavior , becoming:
- tearful and irritable,
- sleepy and lethargic.
Other symptoms may include :
- reddened skin of the face (mainly the cheeks),
- heat rash (red lumps and pimples or superficial vesicles)
- low-grade fever,
- dehydration (dry diaper).
It's important to check the body temperature if these symptoms occur . You can do this by touching the back of the baby's neck. If your little one is too warm , they will be not only warm but also moist. Normally, they should be warm and dry.
Fever in a child from overheating
Hyperthermia can lead to a life-threatening condition called heat stroke , which, due to its rapid onset, requires immediate medical attention . Body temperature then becomes significantly elevated, exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
In addition, there may be symptoms such as:
- decreased urine output;
- sunken fontanel;
- diarrhea;
- vomiting.
Confusion, impaired or loss of consciousness, and seizures may occur. This condition requires urgent medical attention, so a fever in a child due to overheating is a sign that should not be ignored.
Overheating of a child's body: how long does it take?
Small children have less blood circulating in their bodies, which causes them to overheat more quickly . It's impossible to say exactly how long it takes for a child to overheat, as it all depends on their predispositions and the duration of exposure to factors that can cause overheating.
This condition can last for several hours, though it can sometimes last up to several days. Early recognition of symptoms and a prompt response are crucial to providing appropriate treatment.
The effects of overheating the body
Overheating a baby can have very negative consequences :
- 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.
The side effects of overheating the body include a disruption of its thermoregulatory abilities , as well as a reduction in the child's immunity (an overheated, sweaty baby is more susceptible 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?
To avoid having to test how to treat a child's overheating in practice , it's best to prevent it. It's important to ensure not only appropriate clothing for the weather, but also the proper temperature and humidity in your home.
Recommended air temperature in the house
Coming into the world means a complete change in the living environment – from humid and warm to dry and significantly cooler. In the first month of life, the thermoregulatory system is still developing , so the little one needs help during this period, which is why hospital rooms and neonatal wards experience such high temperatures.
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 proper temperature in the room where your baby is staying, we should also ensure the air is adequately humidified. Humidity in the home should be between 40-60%.
In this context, it is worth considering using an air purifier, such as the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool™ PH2 De-NOx model , which not only filters the air, but thanks to the humidification function , also maintains the optimal humidity level, ensuring a healthier environment for the baby.
Recommended products
Head of the Department of Assessment and Development of Cooperation at the Institute of Mother and Child
Expert advises
When air humidity is too low, which often happens in winter when radiators are heating, it causes dryness of the mucous membranes in the nose or throat, which increases susceptibility to infections (e.g. runny nose, pharyngitis). On the other hand, when the humidity is too high, dust mites develop more easily, which can cause allergic reactions in children.
An extra layer: when is it useful?
During the day, a newborn lying motionless should be dressed in one layer more than we carry ourselves, moreover, we should always have a cotton (easy to wash) blanket at hand as an additional cover. Remember to check the child's body temperature on the nape or back. In the case of hands or feet, this can be confusing.
We apply the one-layer-extra rule until the baby becomes more mobile . Lying on his tummy and lifting his head is quite an effort. A baby who spends a large part of the day lying on his tummy can be dressed the same as the rest of the family.
In winter, let's prepare for the toddler, for example, a short-sleeved bodysuit, a long-sleeved cotton blouse, pants and socks or tights. In the summer, when it's very hot, short-sleeved bodysuits made of airy, delicate materials are enough.
Outside the house: "onion"
When we're taking a baby or toddler for a walk, we can go back to the one-layer-extra rule, as long as the little one stays in the stroller during the walk. However, if our little one is older and heading straight from the stroller to the playground, we should skip the extra layer to avoid the risk of overheating.
A better solution is to throw a blanket over the stroller if necessary and dress your little one in layers. You can then unzip or remove one of the layers at any time, allowing your child to continue playing carefree. Keep in mind that children who are overdressed sometimes give up playing because they're simply uncomfortable, sweat easily, and become irritable. A sweaty baby is more likely to hypothermia, which can lead to increased susceptibility to infections.
In summer, remember not to take children for walks when the sun is at its peak. When going out in the afternoon, remember to protect your child's head from the still-intense sun, but if you're walking in the shade, don't put a hat on your child. We can put aside concerns about ear infections resulting from a cold.
Expert advises
It is important not to cover the pram with diapers as part of the sun protection. It is, unfortunately, a common practice for parents to take their toddlers for a walk in the summer with their toddlers in the carrycot. The baby's air supply is then obstructed, which may also lead to overheating. Umbrellas for prams are a much better solution.
Advantages of hardening
Nowadays, there are increasingly voices calling for the use of an extra layer, even for infants, in favor of warming the child up. It's believed that even if a child is slightly cold, this can support their immune system, as opposed to overheating.
Don't give up on walks. Of course, the point is not to take a child with fever or pneumonia for a walk, but let it not be a contraindication to a slight infection or runny nose. In winter, we should also take into account the deteriorating, unfortunately, air quality (smog).
For a good sleep
Parents often make another mistake: dressing their children too warmly for bed , which also contributes to overheating. Furthermore, it's difficult to sleep well in clothing that restricts movement and is too thick. It's better to choose loose, breathable pajamas made of natural materials. And what about the "mandatory" hat? Don't keep it on your little one all night or for extended periods during the day.
A head covering is only needed in the first months of life for about half an hour after taking a bath.
Expert advises
To prevent overheating, avoid covering babies, especially the youngest ones, with heavy blankets or duvets. Besides their thickness, it's also important to choose the right size . Too bulky blankets will restrict your little one's movement, which can compromise their safety while sleeping. The blanket should be easy to keep clean, allowing you to wash it at 60 degrees Celsius at least once every two weeks, or even more often if it gets dirty. For this reason, it's best to avoid down, feather, or wool fillings.
In the first year of life, we recommend sleeping bags. They're safe – there's no risk of your baby pulling the blanket over their face, and their thickness, adapted to the season, will ensure your little one won't get cold or overheat. Don't forget to air the room regularly before bedtime.
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