Summer is here. Children wear lighter clothes, leaving large areas of delicate skin exposed to intense sunlight for long hours, which easily triggers various skin disorders. Parents need to supervise kids closely, prioritize food hygiene and shield them from potential hazards. Apart from sunburn, children face many other seasonal troubles in hot weather.

Four Common Summer Health Issues for Kids

1. Sunburn

Children’s skin is tender, thin and high in moisture. Strong summer ultraviolet rays cause sunburn after prolonged exposure and raise the risk of skin cancer later in life.

- Keep children out of direct midday sunlight as much as possible.

- Pat skin fully dry after bathing and apply baby-specific moisturizer.

- Apply sunscreen half an hour before going outdoors. Equip kids with sun hats, parasols and sunglasses to block UV rays.

2. Skin Rashes

Contact with toxic or chemical substances may induce rashes. Once abnormal skin lesions appear, rinse the child with a shower right away to remove residual irritants. For severe cases, use steroid ointments as directed by a doctor. When hiking or having outdoor trips, dress children in long-sleeve shirts and long trousers to avoid bites from mosquitoes and venomous insects.

3. Dehydration

Infants and young children have inefficient heat dissipation, making dehydration very common in hot weather. Watch for warning signs: listlessness, irritability, bluish lips, dry skin, sunken eye sockets and rapid breathing.

First aid steps for dehydration: offer plain water, cool the body, give oral rehydration salts and move the child to a cool space. Seek medical help immediately if symptoms do not improve after drinking water or if vomiting occurs.

Cultivate a habit of drinking plain boiled water; never replace water with carbonated soft drinks.

4. Foot Injuries

Many children run barefoot or wear sandals in summer, greatly increasing the chance of foot wounds. If cut by glass, thoroughly clean the wound and bandage it. Monitor the injury for swelling, pus and other signs of infection.

Opt for breathable sneakers paired with cotton socks to keep feet dry. Wash socks and shoes frequently and air them under sunlight for disinfection.

Warm Reminders

Many children love playing in water in hot weather, but water trapped in ear canals breeds bacteria. Use earplugs when swimming.

Take full protective measures during outdoor activities, replenish water regularly and help children stay cool. Maintain a balanced diet. Homemade mung bean soup and sour plum soup clear internal heat and are ideal summer drinks for kids.