When should I take my child to the ER for dehydration?
When should I take my child to the ER for dehydration?
Take your child to a hospital emergency department straight away if they:
- have symptoms of severe dehydration – they are not urinating, are pale and thin, have sunken eyes, cold hands and feet, and are drowsy or cranky.
- seem very unwell.
What does dehydration look like in a child?
Dehydration occurs when an infant or child loses so much body fluid that they are not able to maintain ordinary function. The warning signs can include dry skin, tongue and lips, rapid breathing, fewer wet diapers and tearless crying.
What is severe dehydration?
Severe dehydration is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency. It can cause serious damage to your kidneys, heart, and brain. To avoid severe hydration, respond to signs of dehydration by drinking fluids that rehydrate you.
What happens if a child is dehydrated?
Signs and symptoms of dehydration dizziness or light-headedness. nausea or headaches. dark yellow or brown urine (wee) – urine should be pale yellow. fewer wet nappies or nappies not as wet as usual; or older children will not go to the toilet as much.
What are the stages of dehydration?
Most doctors divide dehydration into three stages: 1) mild, 2) moderate and 3) severe. Mild and often even moderate dehydration can be reversed or put back in balance by oral intake of fluids that contain electrolytes (or salts) that are lost during activity.
What are the signs of acute dehydration?
Signs of dehydration include:
- Headache, delirium, confusion.
- Tiredness (fatigue).
- Dizziness, weakness, light-headedness.
- Dry mouth and/or a dry cough.
- High heart rate but low blood pressure.
- Loss of appetite but maybe craving sugar.
- Flushed (red) skin. Swollen feet. Muscle cramps.
- Heat intolerance, or chills.
