Dehydration is a condition caused by a loss or lack of fluids in the body and may require hospitalization. Here’s how you can tell if your child is dehydrated, what to do about it, and when to seek urgent medical treatment. For same-day care, visit AFC Urgent Care Boulder. The clinic is open seven days a week and always accepts walk-in patients.
Dehydration causes and symptoms
Dehydration has many causes, including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, excessive sweating, and not drinking sufficient amounts of water. In some cases, drinking water may not be enough to replace body fluids, and the child suffering from dehydration may need to go to the hospital.
Symptoms of dehydration include a dry tongue and chapped lips, lethargy, tearless crying, fewer than six wet diapers a day in infants, no wet diapers in eight hours for toddlers, or lack of urination in children. Sunken eyes and dry, wrinkled skin also indicate dehydration. A dehydrated infant may have a soft, sunken spot on their head. Deep, rapid breathing and cool, blotchy hands and feet also indicate dehydration.
How to identify signs of dehydration in your child
Your child likely will not know that they are dehydrated, and in some cases, they will refuse water, even though they need to take in fluids. Do not wait for your child to tell you or indicate that they are thirsty to treat dehydration. Look for the symptoms listed above to check if your child may be suffering from dehydration.
Tips for preventing dehydration and when to seek professional care
To prevent dehydration, monitor your child’s fluid intake closely. Have a daily water goal and make sure they take in extra fluids on hot days or when they are active. Encourage them to drink water and other liquids with electrolytes. Do not give them sweetened, sugary, or caffeinated drinks like soda or juice, as they can exacerbate dehydration. Adding a splash of fruit juice to water is acceptable to make the taste more appealing to your child if they are refusing water.
If your child is sweating or vomiting profusely or has continuous diarrhea, drinking fluids may not be enough to prevent dehydration. You may give your child acetaminophen to reduce a fever, but not aspirin. Do not give children under the age of two diarrhea medication, unless instructed by your doctor.
If your child is showing any of the symptoms of dehydration that are not quickly alleviated by drinking fluids and electrolytes, you need to seek medical attention right away. Dehydration is a serious medical problem, so do not hesitate to take your child to an urgent care center or hospital. An urgent care doctor can administer intravenous fluids, monitor electrolyte levels, and administer fever-reducing medication. With proper treatment and rest, your child can get their body fluids back to safe levels.
