My nearly 11 year old can't cope with the heat - it doesn't even have to be that hot, she struggled today

[hmc]

My almost 11 year old feels dizzy and unwell in the heat. She had PE today at school - it was only 19 degrees and she had to bail out and stop after a short while (she is a sporty, fit kid - as long as it is sub 15 degrees!!!!). Now 5 hours later she is still red faced and hot to the touch (have sent her for a tepid shower) even though lightly dressed.

She struggles as soon as the mercury rises and it doesn't even need to be a scorcher. It's very limiting.

Any suggestions?

[hmc]

And no we don't want to move to Greenland!

[Pascha]

Does she itch at all?

[Bunbaker]

19 degrees!. I wish it had been that warm here. You don't need to move to Greenland, Yorkshire will do.

Joking apart, it might be an idea to get your DD checked over by the GP.

[WishIdbeenatigermum]

Is she/ was she dehydrated? Natural fibre clothes? Is she a little overweight? It might just be the change in temperature and she copes better in a week or two. Is she that bothered?

[FrauMoose]

I felt uncomfortably overheated today too. I think the body may it hard to adapt to a sudden rise in the outside temperature. But the gradual shift from spring to summer might be easier. Am not sure that synthetic school uniforms/sports kit helps. Does the school have a drinking fountain? Children don't always remember to drink - and may positively avoid doing so if the school loos are not kept adequately clean. (I suppose it's possible if there's some puberty-related/hormonal thing going on at that age which might make a young person feel hotter as well.)

[hmc]

No she's not overweight and was wearing light p.e. kit - there is a drinking fountain and she had a water bottle of her own. Yes she is bothered by it and has battled with it every spring / summer over the last few years. Wonder if she should see the GP.....

[hmc]

She's very blonde and fair skinned - don't know if that is owt to do with it

[hmc]

Sorry Pascha - yes she sometimes itches with it

[Bluestocking]

Is her diet very low in salt? It's important to keep your electrolytes in balance in warmer weather. Could you put a salty snack in her bag for her to eat if she feels weird? But do agree that you should think about getting her checked out at the GP.

[hmc]

Her diet is probably fairly low in salt - perhaps I should start putting crisps in her packed lunch. She is a very salty sweater

[BastardDog]

My 13 yo ds isn't well this evening either. Headache and tummy ache. I suspect he's got dehydrated. He seems very sensitive to warm/hot or cold. Is your dd sensitive to cold weather too? My ds wears lots of layers, even inside, during a cold spell.

[hmc]

No BastardDog - she's good with the cold! Perhaps it is just a thing that they eventually grow out of. It's a shame because she is supposed to be running the Salisbury area schools mini marathon in May - and she'll have to pull out if its warm. She's also got a few more games of football to play for her U11 girls team before end of season and she will have to bail out if it stays warm. She loves her sport and its blighted by the heat!

[Loveleopardprint]

My dd gets prickly heat rash every spring as soon as the sun appears. Have warned her new teacher today that it is quite normal for her in case they think it is contagious. I take her to the gp every year in case it is something else and they can only say it is prickly heat and she is sensitive to sunlight.

[hmc]

Loveleopard - it does sound like one of those things that will have to put up with it then

I guess I didn't like the heat much as a kid (and now tolerate it quite well), but it didn't have too much of an effect on me because I was a bookish, exercise averse child and just sat in the shade

[Zappo]

I'm terrible in the heat- always have been. I often get a headache, get very red faced and easily feel hot and sweaty. I'm very fair and burn easily so suspect I am an "english rose" and possibly genetically programmed to stay out of the sun in order to avoid getting sun burnt/heat stroke.

I gradually acclimatise to the change in temperature but I am also slightly allergic to sunlight and can get a very itchy rash on my neck when my skin first gets exposed to the sun. I gradually build up tolerance. However, I'm the person who gets on everyone's wick complaining about the heat and wishing the hot weather away. I have never wanted to travel to hot countries because I don't think I could cope and, although I was wishing the long winter away, I prefer breezy warm spring and autumn days to the heat of summer.

I do find night times particularly uncomfortable during the summer and hate having to rush around in the heat during the day.

I'd be interested to hear if any doctors on mumsnet could shed light on why some people find it so difficult to tolerate the heat

I feel for your daughter I really do as most people think it's weird if you don't enjoy the heat.

If your daughter is getting really dizzy it might be best to get her checked out by the GP in case it's anything else.

[Pascha]

Hmc, google Cholinergic Urticaria. Basically an intolerance to heat causing hives (itching) but also nausea, dizziness, excessive sweating. Can be controlled by antihistamine taken daily.

[hmc]

Thanks all for the advice - and yes Pascha, sounds like it could be that. Good to know it can be controlled by antihistamine. Will google