Child Was Out And Had Sweating. Having Cramping In Hands And Legs. What To Do?

Posted on Fri, 30 Aug 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 Answered on

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My Son has been outside all day today in the hot tempertaures and swetted a lot today. He is at home now and says his hands are shaking and he is cramping in his hands and legs. He has drank gatorade all day but has swetted an awful lot. We dont know what to do for him

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Just monitor him closely....

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

He seems to have developed heat cramps. Potassium depletion secondary to excessive sweating and dehydration is responsible for the cramping.

"Heat cramps" is usually a temporary condition and unlikely to cause permanent health issues. If he has no more cramps and tremors, you need not be worried. He will be alright. Let him drink gatorade - a few drinks more. Encourage him to consume banana or coconut water (if it is available in your locality).

Some warning symptoms that you need to monitor are:
- Increased body temperature,
- Persisting muscle cramping with weakness,
- Chest pain/palpitation
- Muscle weakness
- Drowsiness/altered consciousness
- Reduced urine output
- Presence of dark colored urine

Should he develop any of the aforemented symptoms, take him to the nearest ER. He will need an EKG and some blood test such as serum electrolytes and creatinine phosphokinase check.

Hope this information is helpful. Let me know if you need clarification.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar