Anti-heat tips for children, watch out for "heat fever"

The heat wave that is crossing the Peninsula continues to be felt. And among the most vulnerable to high temperatures there are certainly also children , less efficient in thermoregulation, also due to a reduced skin surface. How can we protect them?

In addition to obviously avoiding being under the sun during the hottest hours of the day, there are small health-saving measures to put into practice. Pediatrician Italo Farnetani lists them to Adnkronos Salute, warning: "Also watch out for 'heat fever'" . A phenomenon that can lead to error.

"When we have temperatures of 40 degrees we cannot think of measuring the body temperature " of the little ones "as in the winter period. The high external temperature in fact also overheats the skin, especially when there is abundant sweating which is in fact a way to move heat from the inside to the outside of the body. Therefore, be careful of false fevers. The first advice is to measure the temperature when the child is not sweating and the environment is cool".

Hot in the city, Milanese and tourists hot in Piazza Castello in Milan, 9 August 2024 (Ansa)

How to keep babies as cool as possible on hot days like these? "Even if the baby is less than a year old, they can be washed often. Frequent baths or showers help, even more than once a day, to remove sweat in particular. If left on the skin, in fact, it can cause 'bubbles' to appear". The so-called prickly heat is common in the summer, especially in record heat.

Another golden rule: hydration, lists the pediatrician. "It is important that everyone drinks, children and teenagers, and that even the little ones introduce as much liquid as possible - Farnetani reminds us - In this period, to encourage the intake of liquids, sparkling water is also good, if you like it more, better if fresh, which is more inviting. As long as teenagers and children drink, you can consider allowing them drinks (obviously non-alcoholic) that are normally limited in use. It should be noted that an excess of fruit juices should be avoided because they could cause diarrhea if consumed in abundance. Finally, I remind you that milk is a food and not a drink. As for teenagers, alcohol should be avoided".

A final chapter concerns the indoor environment . "If you can, it is useful to use air conditioning to lower the temperature. In general, it is important to be able to cool the air. For those who live in the city", the choice of where to spend the day in free time can make the difference. "My advice? With children , go to the swimming pool as often as possible" , concludes the expert.

Hot in the city, Milanese and tourists hot in Piazza Duomo in Milan, 9 August 2024 (Ansa)