Firas Aid and Safety of Dehydration

Dehydration

Dehydration can occour if a child is not drinking enough fluids. Kids can also become dehydrated when a large amount of fluid is lost through vomiting, diarrhoea, or or both. In cases of dehydration, it's important to replenish fluid losses as quickly as possible.

Signs and Symptoms:

Milds to Moderate:

• tongue becomes dry
• few tears when crying
  
• rapid heart rate
  
• fussiness in infant
• no wet diapers for 6 hour in an infant
• no urination for 8 hours in child
  

Severe:

• very dry mouth
  
• wrinkly, ordoughy skin, specially on the belly & upper arm and legs
• inactivity and excessive sleeping
• sunkening eyes
• sunkening soft spot on top of an infant's head
• no urin for 8 or more hours in an infant and 10 or more hours in a child
• deep, rapid breathing
• rapid or weak pulse

What to Do?
Mild dehydration can often be treated at home. If the child has diarrhoea or but no vomiting, continue feeding a noprmal dite.

If the child is vomiting, stop milk products and solid foods and:

• Give infants a solution that restores lost fluids and minerals - about 1 tabletspoon every 15-20 minutes.
• Give children over 1 year old sips of clear fluids such as an oral electrolyte solution, ice chips, flat non-caffeinated soda, clear broath, or ice pops - 1 to 2 tabletspoons every 15-20 minutes.
  

Seek Emergency Care if the child:

• shows any sign of severe dehydration
• is unable to keep clear fluids down
  

Think Prevention!

• Frequent handwashing as key to avoiding many of the illness that can lead to dehydration.
• Encourage frequent, small amounts of fluids to avoide dehydration during illness.
• If vomiting occours, use only clear fluids to rehydrate.