New Castle Pediatrics physicians want to alert youth and their parents to the dangers of heat-related illnesses during summer sports and other physical activities that include extra physical exertion in a hot environment.

"Heat illness usually is preventable," says Lisa Richmond, MD. "With the appropriate preparation and monitoring, healthy children and teens can participate safely in outdoor sports and other physical activities throughout those hot days of summer."

Remember, children adjust more slowly than adults to changes in environmental heat and often do not think to rest when having fun. Also, encourage them to drink water when playing or exercising.

Watch for signs of heat exhaustion. It occurs when the body is unable to cool itself

properly due to loss of water and salt in the body from excess sweating. Children will have:

• profuse sweating
• pale skin that's cool and damp to the touch
• rapid and shallow breathing
• headache
• nausea
• normal or below-normal body temperature
• vomiting or diarrhea
• dizziness, weakness or fainting
• muscle cramps

If you suspect your child has heat exhaustion:

• move them right away to a cool place to rest
• remove extra clothing
• apply cool cloths such as towels with cold water
• fan their skin
• give them cool - not cold - sports drinks containing 
salt and sugar such as Gatorade (if they don't feel nauseous)
• call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department if their condition hasn't improved or if they are unable to take fluids with an hour