Hot flushes in children

Overview

Hot flushes are sudden feelings of warmth that spread over the body, often with sweating and a red face. In children, they are usually not the same as the hot flushes adults get during menopause. They can happen for many reasons, like fever, certain medicines, or changes in hormones during puberty.

Hot flushes are not very common in children, but they can happen. They are more common during the teenage years when hormone levels change.

Hot flushes can affect children of any age, but they are most often seen in teenagers going through puberty. They can also affect younger children if they have a fever or are taking certain medicines.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Sudden feeling of warmth in the face, neck, or chest
• Redness or flushing of the skin
• Sweating, sometimes followed by chills
• A fast heartbeat or feeling of anxiety

Symptoms in children

• Warm, red skin that may feel hot to the touch
• Sweating, especially at night (night sweats)
• Irritability or restlessness during a flush
• Often linked to a fever or illness

Causes

Main causes

• Fever from infections like colds, flu, or ear infections
• Hormone changes during puberty
• Certain medicines, such as some antibiotics or asthma drugs
• Overheating from too many clothes or a warm room

Risk factors

• Being in puberty
• Having a fever or infection
• Taking medicines that affect body temperature
• Living in a hot climate or wearing heavy clothing

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Hot flushes with a very high fever (over 104°F or 40°C) that does not go down with medicine
• Child is very sleepy, confused, or hard to wake
• Trouble breathing or blue lips
• Stiff neck or severe headache

Book a routine appointment if:

• Hot flushes that keep happening without a clear reason
• Night sweats that soak the bed sheets
• Weight loss, tiredness, or swollen glands
• Child is younger than 3 months old and has a fever

Diagnosis

A doctor will ask about the child's symptoms, medical history, and any medicines they are taking. They will also do a physical exam, which includes checking the child's temperature and looking for signs of infection or other conditions.

Tests that may be done

• Temperature check with a thermometer
• Blood tests to check for infection or hormone levels if needed
• Urine tests if a urinary tract infection is suspected
• Other tests only if the doctor suspects a specific cause

What to expect at your appointment

The doctor will usually explain what is causing the hot flushes and whether any treatment is needed. Most of the time, the flushes are linked to something simple like a fever or puberty, and no special treatment is required. The doctor may suggest ways to keep the child comfortable.

Treatment

Treatment for hot flushes in children depends on the cause. If they are from a fever, treating the fever can help. If they are from puberty, they often do not need treatment. The goal is to keep the child comfortable and treat any underlying condition.

Self-care at home

• Dress the child in light, loose clothing
• Keep the room cool and use a fan if needed
• Offer plenty of cool fluids to drink
• Use a cool, damp cloth on the forehead or neck
• For fever, give age-appropriate fever reducers as directed by a doctor

Medical treatments

A doctor may recommend medicines to treat a fever or infection if present. If hot flushes are caused by a medicine, the doctor may adjust the dose or switch to a different medicine. For hormone-related flushes during puberty, no specific treatment is usually needed, but a doctor can give advice if symptoms are bothersome.

Living with this condition

Most children with hot flushes can live normally. If the flushes happen often, you can help by keeping the child calm and comfortable during an episode. Encourage the child to rest if they feel warm or tired.

Lifestyle tips

• Dress in layers so the child can remove clothes if they feel hot
• Avoid spicy foods or very hot drinks that might trigger flushes
• Keep a diary of when flushes happen to share with the doctor
• Teach older children to drink cool water when they feel a flush starting

Diet and exercise

A healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and water can help overall health. Regular exercise is fine, but encourage your child to stay hydrated and cool during physical activity. Avoid heavy exercise in hot weather.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Hot flushes can sometimes make a child feel self‑conscious or embarrassed, especially if they happen at school. Talk to your child and reassure them that it is not a serious problem. If they are very worried, a doctor or school nurse can offer support.

Prevention

Most hot flushes in children cannot be prevented because they are caused by normal things like fever or puberty. However, you can lower the chance by keeping the child cool and avoiding triggers like overheating.

Complications

If left untreated

• If hot flushes are caused by an untreated infection, the infection could get worse.
• Rarely, very high fever (over 105°F or 40.5°C) can lead to dehydration or febrile seizures in young children.
• If hot flushes are from an underlying medical condition, not treating that condition could cause other problems.

Long-term outlook

The outlook for children with hot flushes is very good. Most hot flushes are harmless and go away on their own. When they are caused by something like an infection, treating the infection usually stops the flushes. Children go on to lead normal, healthy lives.

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