Prevent these common summer illnesses in children with our handy, practical tips! Stay safe and healthy, and enjoy the warm weather to the fullest!
Most kids can’t wait for summer to come soon enough so that school’s out and they can have fun with their friends! While summer is all about fun and being carefree, it can also be the time when summer illnesses in children are on the rise.
Today we look at some of the most common summer illnesses in children, their causes, symptoms and remedies. You’ll also find ways to prevent these in the first place, so you and your family can have an enjoyable, safe and healthy summer!
10 Common Summer Illnesses in Children
1. Dehydration
Dehydration is a condition when the body loses more water than it ingests, which is a real danger during summer. Dehydration leads to a whole host of health problems, especially in children, who often don’t realize they’re dehydrated till much later.
Dehydration presents itself in signs like dark yellow urine or decreased urine output, sunken eyes, fatigue, dry lips and cold hands. Prevent dehydration by ensuring kids get adequate fluids throughout the day, either through liquids like coconut water and fruit juices or through water fruits like watermelons and cucumbers.
In case your child is severely dehydrated, offer them an oral rehydration solution every few hours to they regain lost fluids and body salts.
2. Sunstroke or Heatstroke
Sunstroke occurs due to extreme exposure to harsh sunlight for long periods of time. Sunstroke can be serious and needs immediate attention. Children are more vulnerable to heatstroke since their bodies can’t regulate temperature that effectively. A child with sunstroke may appear disoriented, nauseous or may have flushed skin and a fast pulse.
If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately move them to a cool place and offer them something to drink, preferably something with electrolytes. Loosen tight clothing and bring down their body temperature with cool damp cloths.
The best remedy for heatstroke is prevention. Schedule outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the evening. Dress kids in loose-fitting, breathable fabrics. Apply sunscreen and cover their heads with hats or caps.
3. Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is one of the most common summer illnesses in children, and can be either due to food-borne or water-borne pathogens. Since kids are usually hanging out with friends or attending outdoor activities like picnics, the risk for food poisoning rises during summer.
Hot and humid weather conditions are ideal for the growth of microbes, particularly Salmonella, E.coli, or Shigella. The main symptoms of food poisoning are vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. These symptoms also put your child at risk for dehydration, so they need to be dealt with right away.
Offer your child plenty of fluids along with any medication for nausea or diarrhea. Encourage kids to wash their hands frequently with water and soap, especially after using the bathroom and before touching food. Always focus on best food practices when it comes to storage, cooking, handing and reheating.
4. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that mostly affects children under five, and is extremely contagious. It appears as small sores in the mouth or a rash on the hands and feet. The sores may be painful and make it difficult for the child to eat or walk.
This is one of the most common summer illnesses in children in summer camps. The best way to prevent hand,foot and mouth disease is to practice proper hand hygiene and keep all surfaces clean and disinfected. If anyone in the family is diagnosed with the disease, keep their clothes, dishes and towels separate from the rest of the family to prevent spreading.
Since kids find it hard to eat with sores in their mouths, offer them lots of fluids or soft foods like yogurt or applesauce. Cold foods like Popsicles which may soothe their sores. As always make sure they drink enough water and are hydrated.
5. Viral Infections
There are several viruses that cause summer illnesses in children, such as enteroviruses, echoviruses or adenoviruses. Enteroviruses are the reason behind the ‘summer flu’, with symptoms like cough, cold, nausea, fever and a runny nose. Echoviruses show similar symptoms, along with conjunctivitis, diarrhea, vomiting or something as serious as meningitis. Adenoviruses show symptoms similar to strep throat and respiratory difficulties.
As with everything else, hand hygiene is key here, especially after using the toilet or before eating. Pay special attention to kids who attend swimming camps or summer camps, and keep them home if they show any symptoms.
6. Insect-Borne Illnesses
Insects are among the main reasons for summer illnesses in children since kids tend to spend more time outdoors during this season than others. The main culprits are mosquitoes, ticks and ants, and while most bug bits are just annoying, some can lead to serious conditions.
Mosquitoes can spread illnesses like Zika or West Nile encephalitis, while ticks can cause Lyme disease. If you notice any rash around a bug bite within a week of the bite, you should see a doctor. Other symptoms to watch out for are fever, headache, joint stiffness, rashes or fatigue.
Always check your child’s scalp and body once they come home after playing outside. If you find a tick, use a pair of tweezers to grab and pull it out without twisting. A cold compress can help with itching, as does a cream like hydrocortisone. For prevention, let your child wear long pants or shirts with long sleeves, and keep them away from areas with bugs. Use a child-friendly insect repellent for added protection.
7. Allergies
The reason allergies are among the most common summer illnesses in children is because of pollen, dust mites and insects. Hay fever is a common allergy seen in this season when flowers start blooming and releasing pollen.
Allergy symptoms can vary, and often appear as sneezing, itching and coughing. If you know your child’s triggers, it’s best to let them go out with a face mask, and carry medicines when you travel.
8. Sunburn
Kids love playing outside during summer; unfortunately, sunburn is a real danger when they do that. When a child’s delicate skin is exposed to the harsh rays of the sun, they are likely to get sunburnt. Please note that UV rays are strong even on cloudy days, and can damage skin.
Always make sure your child wears sunscreen when they’re going outside, and choose one with an SPF of 30 or more. Apply generously all over the face and body, including the hands and feet. Dress them in loose long-sleeved clothing, hats and sunglasses during the day. Keep kids home from 10:00 AM ot 4:00 PM, when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
If despite everything your child still gets sunburnt, calm down the affected area with cool water, a gentle moisturizing lotion or a medicated ointment. Offer plenty of fluids and a pain-reliever if your doctor recommends one.
9. Heat Rash
Heat rash or prickly heat is among the common summer illnesses in children, but it isn’t exactly serious. Yet, it can be extremely uncomfortable and can affect kids of all ages.
Your choice of fabrics is important here, so choose clothes for your children made out of light, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Keep them loose-fitting so there is enough airflow near the skin. Help your child stay cool with cool beverages and foods.
Keep your kids home when it’s extremely hot outside, and lower the temperature indoors using fans or air conditioners. Use calamine lotions or other cooling gels to minimize the irritation due to the rash.
10. Fungal Infections
Summers mean excessive humidity, which provides the perfect environment for fungal infections to grow. Fungal infections are characterized by rashes, itching, redness or a skin allergy. These are usually seen near body folds, like the underarms and groin.
Good hygiene is an important aspect of preventing fungal infections as well as keeping the body dry at all times. Teach your children to dry themselves properly, paying special attention to body folds. Avoid sharing clothes, towels or other personal items with others, and tell kids to change clothes whenever they are wet.
You’ll notice that a common theme in preventing these summer illnesses in children is practicing good hand hygiene. Start teaching kids from a young age about how to wash their hands properly with soap and water – there are songs to keep little ones engaged. Once your child masters this skill, they’ll be prepared to prevent many of these common illnesses, and have the best summer of their lives!
Prerna is the founder, editor and owner of ‘Maa of All Blogs’, one of India’s Top Parenting Blogs. Besides being a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor, she is also a fashion designer and an economics graduate.
When she’s not busy running her home and business, she ensures she stays active – whether it’s running the half marathon, completing the Oxfam walk or climbing to the Everest base camp. Prerna enjoys wearing all her hats, and she does so in style!
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