As pediatric experts, Cook Children’s Health Care System know that protecting a child's health is about preventing emergency room visits just as much as treating illness. Ahead of the major soccer tournament, the system launched "World Cup Wednesday," a weekly healthcare series providing local and international visitors with essential resources on injury prevention, heat safety, water safety and guidance on when to utilize urgent care versus the emergency department.

The hottest time of the year in Texas is here, with temperatures regularly ranging from 80-100 degrees between June and August. Medical experts from Cook Children’s Health Care System advise caregivers and parents on what to know before attending outdoor activities or fan watch parties.

“Children can't cool off the body as well as adults,” said Monica Herrera, M.D., a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Windhaven, “it's important that we keep them hydrated.”

Dr. Herrera emphasizes that hydration is key during these months, as well as protecting children's skin from the sun and mosquitoes.

Learn the signs of heat-related illnesses

Spending too much time in the heat without proper hydration can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Dr. Herrera said learning the signs for heat-related illness is important, so caregivers know when to seek medical attention.

Symptoms include:

• Feeling faint or confused: A child may begin acting disoriented.
• Walking unsteadily and losing coordination.
• Headache
• Abnormally warm skin: Feels hot to the touch.
• Lack of urination: No wet diapers or bathroom use in eight hours.
• Nauseous and vomiting
• Shallow breathes: The body uses shallow breathing to try to shed excess heat.
• Muscle cramps: A child may complain that their legs hurt.
• Numbness

If a child exhibits these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Preparedness is the number one way to avoid heat-related illness and Dr. Herrera says it starts with hydration.

Hydration Tips

Babies under 6 months old should generally be kept indoors. However, if an infant is outside, Dr. Herrera recommends they stay hydrated with formula or breastmilk. Babies under 6 months should not be given water.

“The breast milk has everything that the baby needs as does formula,” said Dr. Herrera. “If you're outside for a prolonged period they really need to be drinking every 20 minutes.”

As children get older water becomes the priority for hydration, but there are other tricks if your little one isn’t fond of H20. While water is best, other caffeine-free fluids and water-rich foods can help count toward hydration.

“Fluids don’t always come in the form of liquid,” said Dr. Herrera.

Alternative hydration sources:

• Ice cream
• Popsicles
• Snow cones
• Crushed Ice
• Fruits (Watermelon, grapes and cantaloupe) are an excellent source of hydration
• Soft liquids (such as yogurt, applesauce)

How do you know if your child is hydrated?

Check their urine. Urine is the best indicator of hydration status for both children and adults. A well-hydrated child's or adult’s urine should be clear to a light yellow, similar to a light lemonade color. If the urine is dark yellow or tea-colored, dark orange, more fluids are needed.

Sun protection

While hydration is critical, protecting a child’s skin is a close second. Dr. Herrera explained that children’s skin is sensitive and can burn when exposed to the sun for a prolonged period. While sunblock Sun Protection Factor (SPF) ratings range in coverage from SPF 10 to 80, Dr. Herrera recommends choosing products with two active ingredients: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and use a sunblock of SPF 30.

Babies under 6 months of age should not have sunblock applied. Instead, keep them in the shade and dress them in a wide-brimmed hat.

Sunblock recommendations for 6 months and older:

• Choose a mineral-based sunscreen.
• Use SPF 30
• Apply 15 to 30 minutes prior to going outside.
• Reapply every two hours.
• Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone.
• Choose lotions over aerosol sprays to ensure total skin coverage.

Staying Cool in the Sun

• Dress children in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Choose breathable, absorbent materials.
• Avoid sitting directly in the sun. Seek shade when possible.
• Use cool mist sprays for quick relief.

Mosquitos

Summer heat in Texas also brings mosquitoes, which thrive around stagnant water and in hot, humid climates.

“Mosquitoes, as we know, can carry viruses which can cause severe infections and serious complications,” said Dr. Herrera. “We want to avoid mosquito bites if at all possible.”

The most effective line of defense is insect repellent.

Finding the best repellent:

• DEET is the most effective option.
• For infants up to 2 years of age, use a maximum of 10% DEET.
• For children older than 2, a maximum of 30% DEET.
• Apply repellent only to exposed skin or on top of clothing. Do not apply it underneath clothing.
• If concerned about applying directly on the skin, apply repellent on clothing instead.

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Sunscreen Every Time- Ch….Well, most of the time, amiright?

You can click the link above to read the detail on sun safety, but I'll summarize them here:

Under 6 Months:

• Keep in the shade under an umbrella or stroller canopy - Dads, it's a good excuse for you to stay inside when it's hot and watch the World Cup this summer.
• It's OK to put sunscreen on small areas of the body (i.e. face) if shade is not available.

Over 6 Months:

• Sunscreen, sunscreen and then sunscreen again. If your child isn't annoyed by your frequency of sunscreen applications, you're not doing it right. Re-apply at least every 2 hours and listen to the chorus of, “But mom, not again.” It’s a beautiful sound.
• Pick a sunscreen with the highest SPF you can find-At least 15 but preferably higher; if you find 1000, let me know, because my wife loves you!
• Limit sun exposure between 10 AM to 4PM-Feel free to use the classic lunch, no swimming for 2 hours because of cramps wives tail, it's been working for generations.

OK, super-parents who would never forget above facts can stop reading…now.

And, for the rest of us.

3 Tips to Treat a Sunburn:

1. Use an aloe vera based gel or cool wet rag for comfort.
2. Treat with oral ibuprofen at the onset of pain and for 24-48 hours.
3. Neither of these are miracle workers so prevention is by far the best strategy.

3 Reasons To Seek Medical Attention:

1. Severe blistering.
2. Severe pain.
3. Other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, headache or signs of dehydration (no urine output for >6 hours or dry lips and mouth).

Let’s all keep our kids sunburn free this summer!  

Sunburn is not only very painful for your kids it is very dangerous for their future health as well. The incidence of melanoma (the most fatal form of skin cancer) is on the rise in the United States. Studies have shown that a sunburn in childhood or adolescence almost doubles your risk of developing melanoma as an adult.