Heat Exhaustion Symptoms & Treatment

What is heat exhaustion?

• A serious heat illness

• Most common heat-related illness in active populations

• May require medical attention

• Probably results from a reduced blood volume due to excessive sweating, which causes blood to pool in the extremities, causing the child to faint or feel dizzy.

Heat exhaustion symptoms

• Nausea

• Extreme fatigue or "jelly legs"

• Headache

• Shortness of breath

• Weak, rapid pulse

• Thirst or dry mouth

• Rectal temperature less than 104°F (40°C).

Risk factors

• Exercising in hot and humid weather 

• Dehydration

• High body mass index (greater than 27kg/m)

Heat exhaustion treatment

• Remove child from practice or game

• Move child out of sun to a shady place

• Have the child sip or drink fluids containing electrolytes (sports drinks) until the symptoms are gone

  • Avoid excessive drinking (child has "sloshy" feeling)

  • Good rule of thumb: have child continue sipping after cramps are gone and child has an urge to urinate

• Remove excessive clothing

• Cool (mainly for comfort) the child with fans, cold towels/sheets, misters, or ice bags on arms or legs

• Hold the child out of playing or exercising in the heat for at least one full day.  Hold out longer if they experience any symptoms when they try to return.

• Seek medical attention, if no improvement within 15 to 20 minutes