Heat Stroke Treatment for Children in Rockville MD
If you think your child is having heat stroke symptoms, then don’t wait and rush to your nearest urgent care. At Physicians Now Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic, we also accept walk-in patients. For more information. Contact us today for more information. We provide walk-in services at 15215 Shady Grove Road, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850.
Table of Contents:
What are the causes of heat stroke?
What signs of dehydration you should watch for?
What do I do if my child has heat stroke?
What happens if you don’t go to the hospital for a heat stroke?
When it’s a hot and sunny day, the last place a child wants to be is inside – they’ll want to take full advantage of the good weather and can play outside for hours at a time. Children need to exercise to stay healthy and so shouldn’t be discouraged from having fun in the sun, but they should be monitored when playing in any warm or humid indoor, or outdoor, environment. Parents or caregivers should ensure that the child is dressed appropriately in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes wearing a hat if outdoors, and drinking plenty of water. Children can become easily dehydrated as they generate more heat when active and don’t sweat a lot. Heat-related illnesses range from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and finally to heat stroke which can be life-threatening, so parents and caregivers need to know what to look for, and what action to take in the event of an emergency meeting you!
Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to cool itself by sweating, leaving it unable to regulate its own temperature. Levels can reach 106°F (41.1°C) or higher, leading to brain damage or even death if it isn’t treated quickly and the body temperature is brought under control. Heat stroke is usually caused by physical activity in hot or humid conditions, whether it be outside on a hot, sunny day or inside in a warm environment. Children can also get heat stroke if left in a car on a hot day – temperatures can soar to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes.
The following are signs of heat stroke and dehydration and if one or more of these is present call 911 immediately or head to the nearest emergency room:
• Severe headache
• Weakness, dizziness
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rapid breathing and heart rate
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Not sweating
• Flushed, hot, dry skin
• Temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher
• Loss of appetite
• Agitation
If you suspect your child may have heat stroke first call 911, and then follow these steps while you are waiting for help to arrive:
• Move the child to a cool place.
• Have them lie down with their feet raised slightly.
• Undress the child.
• If the child is alert place them in a bath of, or spray them with, lukewarm water.
• Place cool packs on the armpit and groin areas.
• If alert and coherent, give frequent sips of water or other cool, clear fluid.
• If the child is vomiting, turn them onto their side to prevent choking.
If heat stroke is left untreated it can quickly damage muscles and internal organs such as the brain, heart, or kidneys, and the longer treatment is delayed the graver the consequences. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and failure to get timely medical aid can lead to severe complications and/or death.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding heat-related illness in children – heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke – their causes and treatment contact Physicians Now Urgent Care today. If you think your child is experiencing heat stroke, however, please make your way immediately to your nearest emergency room or call 911. Our caring and experienced team of professionals is here to help! We are located close to Rockville Town Square in Rockville, MD 20850 and serve patients from North Rockville MD, Travilah MD, Lone Oak MD, Colesville Park MD, Redland MD, Darnestown MD, Anscroft MD, and Wheaton-Glenmont MD. We look forward to meeting you!
Additional Services You May Need
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Additional Services You May Need
▸Illness
▸Injuries
▸Acute Care
▸Asthma
▸Head Injury
▸Cholesterol Management
▸Diabetes
▸Flu Shot
▸Heart Disease
▸RSV Testing
