Always wear sunscreen with an
SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or greater. For
greatest protection, apply it 30 minutes before going outside, and re-apply every 2 hours
your outdoors. Re-apply every hour if you're getting wet.
Overexposure to high temperatures and humidity can quickly lead to heat
exhaustion. It is imperative
one be able to recognize the early signs and symptoms of overexposure.
Early recognition can ward
off serious consequences. Generally heat exhaustion is caused by loss
of body fluids and important
salts. If untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. Heat
stroke is a medical emergency
caused by the failure of the heat-regulating mechanism of the body,
due to high heat and humidity.
Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke
| Symptoms |
Mental Status |
Core
Temperature |
Treatment | |
| HEAT EXHAUSTION
*excessive water loss |
-headache
-nausea -fatigue -dizziness or -lightheadedness -actively sweating -skin cool & pale |
-usually
conscious -may faint |
-over 102 | -shady place or AC Room
-keep cool -increase fluids -cold wet towels -fan -may require IV fluids |
| HEAT STROKE
*Failure of body's heat controlling mechanisms ***EMERGENCY!!! |
-headache
-flushed skin -dry skin -warm skin -rapid, bounding pulse |
-incoherent speech
-disoriented -confused -aggressive -possibly unconscious |
-over 105 | Immediate action necessary Call 911
-Shady place or AC room -Remove most of clothes -apply cool, wet towels -fan to increase air flow |
| PRICKLY HEAT
(Heat Rash; Miliaria Rubra; Sweat Retention) GENERAL INFORMATION |
Prickly heat is a skin disorder characterized by a
non-inflammatory, itchy rash caused by obstructed sweat gland ducts. The skin, particularly in the diaper area, is involved. Prickly heat can affect both sexes, all ages, but is most common in infants. Appropriate health care includes: Home care. Physician's monitoring of general condition and medications, if home care fails. |
Change diapers on infants as soon as they are wet.
Expose the affected skin to air as much as possible. Apply lubricating ointment or cream to the child's skin 6 or 7 times a day. Use cool water soaks to relieve the child's itching and hasten healing. Pat the skin dry, and dust with cornstarch after and between soaks. Your child should take frequent cool showers or tub baths. Your child should wear cotton socks and leather soled footwear rather than shoes made of man-made materials. Don't use binding materials, such as adhesive tape, on your child. Your child should avoid sunburn after having had prickly heat. The body's inflammatory reaction to sunburn may trigger a new outbreak of prickly heat. Urge your older child not to wear tight pantyhose or girdles. MEDICATION
ACTIVITY
DIET & FLUIDS
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL? Yes. CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF Your child's prickly heat doesn't improve in 10 days,
From the Complete Guide to Pediatric Symptoms, Illness &
|
||
| Heat Cramps | -Shallow breathing
-Vomiting -Dizziness -Cramping |
-Move to shade
-Rest -Drink water slowly and wet clothing to bring down temperature *Caution: This is the first sign of Heat Exhaustion |
||
| Sunburn | -Redness of skin
-Blistering of skin -Skin painful to touch |
-Avoid further exposure
-Keep in shade -Cover all blisters with a dressing DO NOT BURST -Take painkillers -Use an over-the-counter sun burn ointment -A cool bath as soon as possible helps |
Sun Safety
It's summertime, and we all love to get out in the sun and bask in the
glow! A
warm, bright, sunny day seems to just call us to be outdoors.
While we enjoy our summer fun, we must also be aware of the dangers
of
overexposure to the sun's rays. In the U.S. alone, more than 600,000
cases of
skin cancer are diagnosed each year. Approximately 6,800 people will
die from
it. Almost all cases of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer,
are the
result of overexposure to the sun.
But you can enjoy the great outdoors this summer! Whether you're out
playing or working, remember these tips to keep your skin healthy:
Always wear sunscreen with an
SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or greater. For
greatest protection, apply it 30 minutes before going outside, and
re-apply every 2 hours
your outdoors. Re-apply every hour if you're getting wet.
Sunscreen alone is not
enough to protect you completely. Since sun exposure also
causes premature aging of the skin, be sure to wear a wide-brimmed
hat to shade your face.
Because the rays that damage
your skin also can damage your eyes, wear sunglasses
that block more than 90% of the UV-B and UV-A radiation.
Avoid the sun between 10 am and
3 pm when the sun's UV rays are the strongest. Any
time your shadow is shorter than you are is a high sun-exposure time!
People with fair hair and skin
are at the greatest risk of damage from the sun. However,
even if you have dark skin or already have a tan, the sun can still
damage your skin.
Children are also at very
high risk for sun damage. Studies have shown that sun
exposure in childhood contributes to the development of moles, which
increase the risk for
skin cancer. Children should always wear sun block and protective clothing.
Don't use
sunscreens on infants under 6 months of age.