NHS issues warning over little-known dehydration signs in eyes and on head

Temperatures could reach as high as 33C in just a matter of days

As summer nears, the NHS has issued a fresh reminder to parents of babies and toddlers. This comes as parts of the UK face weather alerts, with the Met Office’s Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, predicting temperatures could reach 33C this week.

When it comes to dehydration, the NHS highlights 12 key signs and symptoms that parents and caregivers should be aware of. While some, like tiredness, are more apparent, others such as changes in the eyes are less well-known and easier to miss. The NHS issued fresh advice on X on Wednesday.

What are the symptoms of dehydration?

Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include:

1. feeling thirsty
2. dark yellow, strong-smelling pee
3. peeing less often than usual
4. feeling dizzy or lightheaded
5. feeling tired
6. a dry mouth, lips and tongue
7. sunken eyes

Signs of dehydration in a baby may include:

1. a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on top of their head
2. sunken eyes
3. few or no tears when they cry
4. not having many wet nappies
5. being drowsy or irritable

What causes dehydration?

Dehydration can happen more easily if you:

• have diabetes
• have been sick or have diarrhoea
• have been in the sun too long (heatstroke)
• have drunk too much alcohol
• sweat a lot after exercising
• have a high temperature
• take medicines that make you pee more (diuretics)

Call 111 or ask or an urgent GP appointment if…

• you’re feeling unusually tired (or your child seems drowsy)
• you’re confused and disoriented
• you feel dizzy when you stand up and it does not go away
• you have dark yellow pee or you’re peeing less than normal (or your baby has fewer wet nappies)
• you or your child are breathing quickly or has a fast heart rate
• your baby or child has few or no tears when they cry
• your baby has a soft spot on their head that sinks inwards (sunken fontanelle)

The NHS advises that the symptoms listed above indicate severe dehydration requiring immediate medical attention. Delaying treatment could harm your health or the health of the affected person.

Met Office weather warning

The health service took to X, formerly Twitter, to warn parents of the risks. In their tweet, they wrote: “In hot weather, babies and toddlers are more at risk of dehydration. If you notice any signs of dehydration, contact your GP or call 111. The NHS website has more helpful advice.”

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley added: “Saturday is expected to be the peak of this hot spell, with temperatures fairly widely reaching into the low 30 Celsius across parts of England, with high 20s likely as far north as northern and eastern Scotland. It will also be very warm at night over the weekend, with the potential for a few places to experience a ‘tropical night’, when temperatures do not drop below 20C.

“With the hot temperatures, we could also see some thundery showers in northern and western areas, especially Friday and into the weekend, and this is something we are keeping an eye on. Fresher conditions will arrive from the Atlantic later in the weekend and into next week, resulting in temperatures falling and potentially, some more unsettled weather, but there is still some uncertainty in how quickly this happens.”