Dr. Karthick Annamalai, Chief Pediatrician of the Coimbatore children’s hospital, says that in a tropical country like India, health problems are widespread due to the heat and humidity during summer. Speaking on the impact of Summer and the required life style changes for Children during summer, Dr. Karthick stresses that it's all about adequate water consumption! And he adds that, consuming clean water is more than enough to keep us free from all seasonal ailments.
Here's what Dr. Karthick Annamalai says on how to handle children this summer:
Lactating mothers and New born babies
New born babies are more prone to infections during summer. Hence, lactating mothers should take adequate water and stay hydrated through the day. Dehydration in mothers will directly affect the babies causing ailments like fever, rashes, irritation during urination, heat bubbles. Hence, it is vert important for lactating mothers to keep them hydrated.
Dehydration in Children
Often Children tend to forget drinking water as they are too much involved in playing during this summer holidays. Hence, the parents should ensure that their children take adequate liquid through the day. Dark colored urine, fatigue, exhaustion, rashes in the body are some of the indication of being dehydrated. It becomes the reason for formation of kidney stones and urinary infection in kids. Kids also end up running and exhausting themselves during the holidays, and so, they must be asked to take water or fruit juices, tender coconut water, citric fruits juices, butter milk at regular intervals.
Can Sunscreen lotions be applied for children?
Skin problems are also very common during summer. In new born babies, heat bubbles and prickly heat issues are very common. This is because the sweat glands are not fully developed. Hence, the pores often get clogged and cause skin rashes. Bathing twice a day, loose c clothing, proper ventilation and hydration can reduce such symptoms. Even for babies, instead of using very hot water, bathing in luke warm water this summer will be apt. Instead of applying prickly heat powders, parents can use Aloe Vera gel or by rubbing the skin of Palm fruit on the rashes for natural remedy. Again, applying sun screen lotions for children is right or wrong? is one of the most asked questions by parents. I don't recommend, usage of sun screens for children. In case if parents need to use, they should choose the sun screen with minimum SPF.
Avoid outside food
Avoid eating outside during summer is also something to be avoided. As, virus and bacteria multiply easily during this season and cause diarrhea. Childrens should be advised to wash their hands thoroughly before consuming food. Avoiding outside food, is much better this season.
Dr. Karthick also advises the parents to ensure that the Children are not before the television and gadgets at all times during the summer holidays, as it would affect their brain development. Parents should personally interact with their kids more and make use of this summer holidays to increase their bondage with their kids and also engage the kids in useful tasks. He signs off by saying, 'It's the water, the magic wand that protects us from all summer-related ailments, so, stay hydrated and beat the heat!'