For Your Children's Health During Summer Holidays: 10 Precautions

10 Measures for Your Children's Health During Summer Vacation As summer arrives, children spend more time outdoors, and during periods of extreme heat this can lead to increased encounters with certain illnesses. Prof. Dr. Aziz Polat outlined 10 effective measures that can be taken to protect against summer illnesses and provided important warnings and recommendations.

Acıbadem Üniversitesi Atakent Hastanesi Pediatrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Aziz Polat noted that summer heat, travel, prolonged sun exposure, changes in venue and climate, and dietary changes negatively affect children's health and explained as follows: "During summer months we very frequently encounter sunburn and heat stroke in children, as well as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, ear and eye infections, urinary tract infections, summer flu and air-conditioning sickness. However, it is possible for children and families to enjoy their summer vacation without it turning into a nightmare and to spend a holiday free from illness by taking certain precautions."

Water

Heat and humidity increase the body's water loss and water needs. For this reason, breastfeed your baby more frequently and ensure that children drink 1.3-2 liters of water daily according to their age and weight.

Medicine kit

Be sure to bring children's medications you may need during vacation. Pain relievers and fever-reducing syrups, sunscreens, insect repellents, diaper rash, burn and allergy creams to apply to skin, thermometer, bandages and ice packs must be with you.

Sun

Since heat stroke is very common in children during summer, pay attention to how long and at what times your children spend in the sun. Harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause skin burns in the short term and skin cancer in the long term. For this reason, apply sunscreen half an hour before going out in the sun. Take precautions to protect against the sun's harmful rays by using sunglasses, hats and clothing.

Hygiene

Be careful not to eat vegetables and fruits without washing them thoroughly. Ensure the water quality. Toilet hygiene is particularly important in facilities. Use adequately chlorinated and not overcrowded pools, and have children swim in clean sea water. Pay attention to hand, foot, skin and body hygiene. Bathe children frequently. Through these measures many microbial diseases will be prevented.

Nutrition

Breakfast should be indispensable in children's nutrition. Prefer milk, eggs, cheese, honey, butter, tomatoes, cucumber, leafy greens, whole wheat or bran bread and fresh fruit juice. If having tea, it should be light. Instead of oily, fried heavy meals or fast food, serve vegetable-based, olive oil-based meals that are easy to digest. Meals should be fresh and not left outside for long periods. Particularly chicken, dairy and cream pastries spoil easily in heat and can cause food poisoning. Yogurt, tzatziki and fruit can be consumed for snacks. Ice cream can be eaten 1-2 scoops per day. Keep sugary, chocolate, chips and junk foods away as they are harmful to health and can especially cause diarrhea during summer months.

Air conditioning

Prof. Dr. Aziz Polat stated: "Children cannot adapt to sudden temperature changes. The room should not be too cool, temperature should be set to 18-21 degrees Celsius. Air conditioning should not run for long periods while children are in the room. Children should not sit directly in front of the air conditioner. Due to air conditioning, cold-like symptoms, nasal discharge, nasal congestion, throat dryness, pain and cough can occur. If air conditioners that are not properly cleaned transmit certain microbes, they can cause lung infections."

Swimwear

Particularly girls are more prone to urinary tract infections; therefore it is very important that the pool and sea are clean, children do not stay in water for long periods, wet clothes are changed immediately, frequent showers are taken, toilet hygiene is maintained, children do not hold urine for long periods, and constipation if present is treated. If there is pain during urination, frequent urination, blood in urine, fever, abdominal pain or vomiting, consult a hospital.

Close supervision

Closely supervise children against accidents and drowning and be nearby for emergency intervention. Never leave small children unattended. Call emergency services at 112 immediately.

Insects

Against mosquito bites, insect repellent devices or mosquito netting used indoors can be utilized. Take measures to prevent bees, insects and scorpions from approaching children.

Sleep routine

Children's sleep schedules change during vacation. However, children need to sleep for a sufficient period (10-12 hours) for growth and rest. For regular sleep, room temperature should not be too cold or too hot, dinner should not be delayed and should not be heavy, the room should be quiet and dimly lit, nothing should be eaten close to bedtime. Also make sure to turn off phones and tablets two hours before bedtime.