I'm A Doctor – Don't Miss These Dehydration Red Flags In Children

Children are more vulnerable to dehydration during heatwaves – here’s how to spot the signs.With this week bringing the UK’s warmest weather of the year, and a ‘mini heatwave’ ahead of the May bank holiday, who can be blamed for enjoying the sunshine and racing to the closest beach?However, many people are concerned about dehydration, with over 120,000 Google searches for “dehydration” taking place over the past month, as well as searches for “dehydration in children” up by 8% this week.HuffPost UK spoke with Doctor Catherine Hyatt from the online pharmacy MedExpress to learn more about what symptoms parents should be looking for in their babies and children.Red flag signs and symptoms of dehydration in childrenDr Hyatt said: “Spotting dehydration in a child on holiday requires careful observation of various symptoms and signs. Babies and children are more at risk of dehydration so it is even more important to look out for this and act quickly if you’re worried.”She highlighted that early indicators of dehydration can include increased thirst as well as dry mouth and lips.However, she added, “Pay attention to decreased urination, with dark yellow urine being a significant sign.”Children’s behaviour often changes, too, with many children becoming more irritable and lethargic — two symptoms that Dr Hyatt advises are “important to note and need to be urgently reviewed.”Other severe symptoms include sunken eyes, a sunken fontanelle in infants, rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing.Finally, Dr Hyatt advised: “A child’s skin may lose elasticity, and they might produce few or no tears when crying. If a child shows signs of confusion, dizziness, or fainting, immediate medical attention is necessary as these indicate severe dehydration.“Ensuring children drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and consume hydrating foods can help prevent dehydration, especially in hot climates or during physical activities when on holiday.”Related...People Are Just Realising How Often We're Actually Meant To Reapply Sunscreen, And WowYou Need To Watch Out For These Signs Of Heatstroke In ChildrenThe One Thing You Should Never Do After Your Child's Been Swimming

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