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Cooling Tips

It doesn’t take long for a parent or carer to recognise when a child is overheating.  Parents of children affected by ED often mention reddening of the ears as an early indicator.  A head warm to the touch is another frequently mentioned sign.  Irritability and lethargy may follow.  More serious situations can be accompanied by dizziness and/or nausea and may serve as a precursor to heat stroke.

Whether we have a scorching summer or a typical British summer, it will be hot for everyone who is affected by ED –  and we can help you to be prepared:

  • Drink water to stay hydrated – always take a refillable thermos of cool water with you
  • Wet yourself down – use a spray bottle of water, hose pipe – whatever you need to wet your clothing, hair, hat and body
  • Wet T-Shirt – soak your t-shirt in water or pack a wet cotton t-shirt in a Ziploc bag to wear when hot
  • Cool bandanas – Soak a bandana in water and wrap it around the back of your neck. You could also soak two bandanas and wrap one around each wrist
  • Frozen wash cloths – Freeze wet wash cloths in Zip lock bag. Take with you in a cooler.  They will be thawed by the time you need them
  • Terry cloth wrist bands – Soak them in water and wear on the wrists
  • Spray bottle – Carry with you to spray and cool down
  • Plan ahead – Plan outdoor activities on days and at times when risks can be minimized such as early morning, evenings or on cloudy days
  • Instant shade – Determine if outdoor activities will have access to shade and water. If not, take a golf umbrella or a pop-up canopy to provide relief from the sun
  • Damp towels – Take damp towels in a cooler. A damp towel around the neck brings quick relief
  • Cool the car down before entering
  • Gallons of water- take bottles of water to outdoor sporting events if your child is an athlete. Water can be used to drink, soak shirts, or pour on body as
  • needed
  • Cool clothes – Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting, open-weave clothes
  • Wear a wet cap/hat or you can purchase cooling caps
  • Cool gel packs – great for putting your feet on, especially for children in class at school
  • Cool packs in car seats – Use to help keep babies and toddlers cool in the car
  • Frozen Hot Water Bottle – great for cooling the bed
  • Use good common sense and you will get through each warm day just fine! 

Nosebleeds

These appear to be a common occurrence for ED individuals when the weather is hot, particularly at night.  A nosebleed can be scary to get, or see, but try to stay calm.  Most nosebleeds look much worse than they really are.  Almost all nosebleeds can be treated at home.  Place a cold compress (wet flannel) or an ice pack across the bridge of the nose, whilst at the same time placing a cold flannel on the back of the neck, as this will help slow the blood flow.  Once the bleeding stops, don’t do anything that may cause it to start again, such as bending over or blowing your nose.  Most nosebleeds occur in the front part of the nose and stop within a few minutes.   You may need to seek medical attention if a nosebleed lasts for more than 15-20 minutes.

When outdoor temperatures escalate – be prepared!

Take a thermos of cool drinking water and a spray bottle in the car just in case it is needed.  Plan outdoor activities on days when risks can be minimized.  Access to shade and water is always helpful.  If your child is an athlete, you may find taking an umbrella, damp towels in a cooler, and a spray bottle to be useful.  It doesn’t take long for active athletes to discover that a cool spray of water on the head or a damp towel around the neck brings quick relief.  Others soak their hat or shirt in water.  Very often others with the ability to perspire begin to bring similar gear to athletic events as they too learn the benefits of keeping cool.

Don’t take unnecessary risks

Trips in non air-conditioned cars on warm days are not appropriate.  The same is true for activities that require lengthy outdoor exposure with limited or no access to cooling.  Use good common sense and you will get through each warm day just fine.

Maybe you have some tips that have worked well for you?  If so, we would love for you to share them with us!  Please contact us, or maybe you can share on our Facebook page.