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HEALTH & SAFETY
SHTydAraTtioInON
When the weather is cool, children may not realize they’re
dehydrated. Here’s how to keep that from happening.
PER POUND, CHILDREN need to have To keep children hydrated: Keep an Eye Out for Dehydration
more water in their bodies than adults, »» Make sure they drink six to eight
so it’s easier for them to get dehydrated. Parents, watch for these signs and be ready to
glasses of water every day.
“Kids can still get dehydrated »» Dress them in weather-appropriate step in if you think your child is dehydrated.
when it’s cold outside,” says Rogelio
dela Cruz, MD, Director of Pediatric layers to prevent sweating. »» Thirst »» Lack of activity
Emergency Center, Navicent Health. »» Use a humidifier indoors to add
“Chilly weather speeds up dehydration, »» Dry mouth »» Sunken eyes
and dry, cool air causes water to moisture to the air.
evaporate from the body faster.” »» Drowsiness »» Skipping bathroom breaks
IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD
Dr. dela Cruz goes on to explain that IS SEVERELY DEHYDRATED,
children’s bodies respond to cooler SEE A DOCTOR AS SOON AS
weather by conserving heat. That makes POSSIBLE. GO TO PEDIATRIC
it hard for kids to tell when they need EMERGENCY CENTER,
water. It also increases kidney activity, NAVICENT HEALTH, OR VISIT
which means they have to use the WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG
bathroom more often, causing them to AND CHOOSE “INQUICKER
lose even more fluid. CHECK-IN” FOR AN URGENT
CARE CENTER NEAR YOU.
CSAKRINE YFOORU’TRHEEINKeep your skin moisturized and less itchy. IF YOU DREAD the hum of the heater because it wreaks havoc
shnoowehrost! on your skin, you’re not alone. Dry skin is a common and
hugmetidaifier! moisturize! uncomfortable problem, but it can be prevented.
One of the biggest culprits of itchy, flaky, red skin is dry air.
Dry, reheated air can suck the moisture out of your home, so
think about getting a humidifier to put moisture back in the air
and help keep skin healthy. The Environmental Protection Agency
recommends keeping the indoor air between 30 and 50 percent
humidity.
Cutting back on long, hot showers can help too. Hot water opens
your pores and lets moisture evaporate. To keep your skin moist,
take warm showers and stay away from harsh soaps that dry your
skin. Limit showers to five to 10 minutes, and pat your skin dry
rather than rubbing it with the towel. After your skin is dry, put on
lotion to help hold on to the moisture from your shower.
TO FIND A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR NEAR YOU, VISIT
WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG/FIND-A-DOCTOR.
3SPRING 2018 | navicenthealth.org 
