Over-exposure to heat can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat exhaustion occurs when an excessive amount of the body's fluid is lost. Babies and small children are particularly susceptible.
Children who are left in a car, even on a day that doesn't seem excessively hot, are at risk of overheating very quickly. This can result in heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. The child's temperature will be as high as 40 °C and he will look flushed, though his skin will be dry. There will be a racing pulse and breathing may be noisy. He may lose consciousness. Treatment aims to reduce the child's temperature as quickly as possible and restore the body's fluids.
Urgent medical attention is essential. In the meantime, remove the child's clothes, lay him in the shade with his feet higher than his head and wrap him in something wet such as a towel. If he is unconscious place him on his side.
Leaving a child unattended in a car at any time can result in heavy penalties.
Caused by perspiration, heat rash (prickly heat) is a rash consisting of itchy red spots and very small blisters that appears in hot weather. Keeping baby cool will help the rash to disappear and prevent its return.
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