Spring is a time of movement when people often go out onto a street, balcony or beach. Unfortunately, the health risks of sunlight are often underestimated. Excessively long exposure to the sun is fraught with serious cardiovascular complications. Chills are one of the symptoms of sunstroke.
The power of the sun is an underestimated risk
In the spring months, few people spend their free time indoors. Most go to the garden, outdoor pool or park. However, many underestimate the power of the sun. If the child has a fever or chills on the street after a spring day, this is a sign of sunstroke.
Overheating symptoms often occur after a few hours - in the evening or late at night. The most common complaints:
- headache;
- pain in the neck;
- stiff neck;
- increase in body temperature;
- nausea, vomiting;
- disorders of consciousness;
- dizziness;
- noise in ears;
- internal anxiety;
- fatigue and muscle weakness.
Some symptoms of sunstroke are similar to heat stroke, which is even more dangerous. If there is any doubt about your own condition, you should consult a doctor. Some experts recommend calling an ambulance at the first sign of sunstroke.
Sunstroke can be distinguished from thermal shock by the following features:
- Symptoms appear with a delay of several hours.
- The head is much hotter than the rest of the body. If heat stroke occurs, the whole body is relatively hot.
- Pulse and blood pressure are normal. With heat stroke, the heart rate rises.
- Neck pain and muscle stiffness are rare with heat stroke.
Relatives or friends should call an ambulance:
- if babies have signs of sunstroke, as they are at an increased risk of developing meningitis;
- if severe vomiting occurs, convulsions, apathy, loss of consciousness, or respiratory arrest.
On the advice of the Federal Center for Health Education, children under the age of 2 should not be exposed to direct sunlight for more than 20 minutes. It is recommended to carry small children only in the shade or close the stroller.
Do not use sunscreen during the first year of life. Baby oil is not a sunscreen. In some cases, the product increases the photosensitivity of the skin of infants.
How to prevent sunstroke?
It is strictly forbidden to sunbathe at lunchtime. People who are constantly outdoors when exposed to high levels of radiation should cover their heads and necks. It is recommended to use lightweight caps made of fabrics that allow air to pass through.
Sunscreen against sunstroke does not help, because it absorbs only ultraviolet rays, not infrared. Young children under 1 year old should avoid direct sunlight.
What complications are possible?
Unconscious patients are recommended to be placed in a lateral position. If breathing or blood circulation stops, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is immediately required - heart massage and mechanical ventilation.
At high temperatures, fluid enters the brain cells from the vessels. Therefore, it swells, but does not expand in the bone skull. If intracranial pressure rises, parts of the brain can be squeezed and irreversibly damaged.
Violations of consciousness and body functions are possible in the form of symptoms such as severe headache, drowsiness, apathy, hallucinations, and speech problems. Cerebral edema is a potentially fatal complication of heat or sunstroke.
Inflammation of the meninges is common in young children. The main symptoms are malaise, abdominal pain, difficulty falling asleep, sensitivity to touch, light, or noise. Fever, vomiting and convulsions are also possible.
Excessive exercise or dehydration are common risk factors for heat stroke. The latter is an emergency medical condition that requires urgent treatment. The warning signs of dehydration are a significantly increased pulse, low blood pressure and hot skin throughout the body.
