Heat stroke is common in adults, but it is often overlooked in children. Pediatric heat stroke is more common than you might think, and it can be difficult to identify that your child is in the middle of a heat stroke if they are unable to communicate their systems.

Urgent care can help a child who has experienced a heat stroke, but educating yourself about heat stroke may be able to prevent the need for a doctor's visit to begin with.

What Causes Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke commonly occurs when people are out in the heat and not drinking enough water. Children may suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke when they spend a lot of time in the sun, perhaps while playing or participating in sports. Heat stroke is serious, no matter how it happens.

What Are the Symptoms of Pediatric Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke is typically pre-empted by other signs and symptoms, typically those associated with heat exhaustion. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include increased body temperature, clammy or cold skin, dizziness, muscle weakness, headache, sweating, thirst, and irritability. Some children also become nauseous.

A child who is experiencing heat stroke may exhibit signs like lack of sweating, confusion, flushed skin, lost consciousness, vomiting, increased rate of breath, and dizziness. Some children may also have seizures.

What Should You Do If you Notice Heat Stroke Symptoms?

If your child is in the middle of a heat stroke or becomes unresponsive at any point, you should bring your child to a medical center. If your child complains of some symptoms that point to mild heat exhaustion, urgent care is a beneficial step. It is often a good idea to call urgent care so they can help you determine if your child needs an emergency room or an urgent care clinic.

You should also ensure that your child drinks water and has access to shade. Get to a cool place as quickly as possible to prevent the symptoms from worsening. It may also be helpful to cover your child so they are less exposed to the sun.

Urgent Care Can Help

Are you unsure how to move forward with treatment for your child? Urgent care can help your child recover from heat stroke or other serious symptoms that do not bring you to the emergency room. Contact an urgent care clinic to learn more about how urgent care professionals can help.

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