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Heat exhaustion or heatstroke in my child: what should I do?
Heat exhaustion can be treated by cooling down within 30 minutes, but heatstroke is a medical emergency.
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What it is
Your body normally cools itself by sweating, but in hot or very humid weather sweating may not be enough, and your body temperature can rise to dangerous levels [6]. Most heat illnesses happen when someone stays out in the heat too long, and exercising or working outside in high heat can also cause them [6]. Older adults, young children, and people who are sick or overweight are most at risk, and taking certain medicines or drinking alcohol can raise the risk too [6].
Heat exhaustion is an illness that can happen after several days of high temperatures and not enough fluids [6]. It does not usually need emergency medical help if the person can cool down within 30 minutes, but if it turns into heatstroke it must be treated as an emergency [1]. Heatstroke is a life-threatening illness in which body temperature may rise above 106 °F (41 °C) in minutes [6]. Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms during heavy exercise, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs, and heat rash is skin irritation from excessive sweating, which is more common in young children [6].
The symptoms of heat exhaustion are often the same in adults and children [1]. They include tiredness, dizziness, headache, feeling sick or being sick, excessive sweating with pale and clammy skin, cramps in the arms, legs and stomach, a high temperature, being very thirsty, and feeling irritable [1]. A change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown or black skin [1]. The symptoms of heatstroke include a very high temperature, hot skin without sweating, fast breathing and a fast heartbeat, confusion and restlessness, seizure, and loss of consciousness [2].
What you can do at home
If someone has heat exhaustion, the NHS says to follow these steps [5]:
- Move them to a cool place.
- Remove unnecessary clothing, like a jacket or socks.
- Give them plenty of water to drink. You can also give an isotonic sports drink or oral rehydration powder mixed with water, which helps replace salt lost through sweating.
- Cool their skin by spraying or sponging with cool water and fanning them. Cold packs wrapped in a cloth under the armpits or on the neck are good too.
- Stay with them until they are better. They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.
To help prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke, the NHS advises drinking more cold drinks, especially if active or exercising, wearing light-coloured loose clothing, avoiding the sun between 11am and 3pm, avoiding too much alcohol, and avoiding extreme exercise [3]. If you are inside on a very hot day, close curtains, close windows if it is hotter outside than in, and turn off electrical equipment and lights that get hot [3]. Check on children, older people and people with long-term health conditions such as diabetes or heart problems, as they are more at risk [3].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
Get immediate medical help if someone has the symptoms of heatstroke [2]. Call your local emergency number if you or someone else has signs of heatstroke, including [5]:
- still being unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and drinking fluids
- a very high temperature
- hot skin that is not sweating and might look red (this can be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- a fast heartbeat
- fast breathing or shortness of breath
- confusion and lack of coordination
- a seizure or fit
- loss of consciousness
Do not drive yourself to the emergency department [5]. While you wait for help, wrap the person in a cool, wet sheet, or fan them or sponge them with cold water [4]. If they lose consciousness, put them in the recovery position and tell the ambulance service, and check their breathing and pulse and carry out CPR if they show no sign of life [4]. If you are struggling to treat symptoms of heat exhaustion or need advice, contact your doctor [5].
Common questions
Can heat exhaustion turn into something worse? Yes. If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can turn into heatstroke [6].
Who is most at risk? Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are most at risk, and certain medicines or alcohol can raise the risk [6].
How can I lower the risk of heat illness? Drink fluids to prevent dehydration, replace lost salt and minerals, and limit time in the heat [6].
Sources
[1] NHS — “Heat exhaustion and heatstroke” (2026), section “Heat exhaustion and heatstroke”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/ [2] NHS — “Heat exhaustion and heatstroke” (2026), section “Symptoms of heatstroke”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/ [3] NHS — “Heat exhaustion and heatstroke” (2026), section “Preventing heat exhaustion and heatstroke”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/ [4] NHS — “Heat exhaustion and heatstroke” (2026), section “What to do while waiting for help with heatstroke”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/ [5] NHS — “Heat exhaustion and heatstroke” (2026), section “Things you can do to cool someone down”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/ [6] MedlinePlus — “Heat Illness” (2024), p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/heatillness.html
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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