3 Major Hazards Awaiting Children in Summer

While summer means vacation, outdoor activities and beach fun for children, it also brings certain health risks. Rising temperatures, changes in hygiene conditions and inadequate eating habits lead to increased incidence of certain diseases in children during summer months. Heat stroke, summer diarrhea and external ear canal infection are among the most common health problems children face during summer.

Dr. Özlem Altay Yücel, Pediatrics Specialist at Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital, notes that these diseases can be largely prevented with simple precautions, stating: "Keeping children indoors during peak sunshine hours, ensuring adequate fluid intake, choosing safe beaches and pools, and paying attention to food hygiene are among the basic rules for protecting child health during summer months."

1. Heat Stroke
Heat stroke, one of the most serious health risks of summer, occurs especially in children who spend long periods in the sun, do not consume enough fluid, or are in poorly ventilated spaces. Because the mechanisms that regulate body temperature in children are more sensitive than in adults, heat stroke can develop more rapidly.

High fever, headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea and confusion are among the most important symptoms of heat stroke. Dr. Özlem Altay Yücel emphasizes that when these symptoms appear, the child should be moved to a cool environment immediately and medical assistance should be sought without delay.

To protect:

• Keep children indoors as much as possible between 11.00-16.00 hours.
• Ensure regular water consumption; do not wait for thirst.
• Prefer light-colored, thin and cotton clothing.
• Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection and reapply every two hours.
• Avoid prolonged physical activity in direct sunlight.
• Make wearing hats and sunglasses a habit.

2. Summer Diarrhea
High temperatures cause food to spoil more rapidly and inadequate hygiene conditions lead to increased cases of summer diarrhea. Contaminated water and food, unwashed vegetables and fruits, and milk products, meat and seafood stored improperly increase infection risk.

Because their immune systems are not yet fully developed, particularly babies aged 6-12 months and children under 5 years are at greater risk.

Sudden onset nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, loss of appetite, frequent and watery stools and mild fever are among the most common symptoms of summer diarrhea. Dr. Özlem Altay Yücel notes that fluid loss in young children can lead to serious consequences and emphasizes that a doctor must be consulted if symptoms persist for longer than 24 hours.

To protect:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
• Avoid food sold outdoors.
• Consume risky foods such as chicken, seafood and dairy-based desserts carefully.
• Store food at 4°C or below.
• Make an effort to consume meals daily.
• Choose beaches and pools with verified hygiene standards.
• Inform children not to swallow pool and seawater.

3. External Ear Canal Infection
Another common health problem in summer months is external ear canal infection. Particularly pools with inadequate hygiene conditions, prolonged moisture in the ear and incorrect practices during ear cleaning increase infection risk.

The infection, manifested by symptoms such as ear pain, feeling of blockage, discharge and reduced hearing, requires early-stage treatment.

To protect:

• Ensure ears remain dry after swimming.
• Do not use cotton swabs for ear cleaning.
• Prefer silicone earplugs or swimming caps when using pools.
• Choose beaches and pools with verified cleanliness.

Dr. Özlem Altay Yücel notes that for children to have a healthy and safe summer vacation, families need to be especially careful about sun protection, fluid intake, food safety and hygiene.