Dehydration is a potentially serious condition where fluid (and salts) are lost from the body and not adequately replaced. Dehydration ranges in severity from mild to serious, but any level of dehydration is detrimental to the body’s organs.
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids and electrolytes than it takes in, impairing organ function and thermoregulation.
Signs and Symptoms
| Severity | Signs & Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Mild | Thirst, dry mouth or lips, dark yellow urine, slight dizziness or headache |
| Moderate | Increased thirst, very dry mucous membranes, low urine output, muscle cramps, irritability |
| Severe | Rapid weak pulse, rapid breathing, sunken eyes, lethargy or confusion, little to no urine output |
When to Call Emergency Services
- Unresponsive or unable to drink
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
- Signs of shock (pale/clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, altered consciousness)
- Inability to keep any fluids down
Call for help immediately if you observe any of these life-threatening signs.
First Aid Steps
- Move the person to a cool, shaded environment and have them rest.
- Encourage small sips of water for mild dehydration; avoid gulping.
- For moderate cases, administer an oral rehydration solution (ORS) according to package directions, or a homemade mix (½ teaspoon salt and 6 teaspoons sugar in 1 L clean water).
- If ORS is unavailable, offer clear fluids such as coconut water, diluted fruit juice, or a rehydration beverage.
- Monitor the person’s fluid intake and urine output; look for improvement in symptoms.
- Continue small, frequent sips over several hours rather than large volumes at once.
First Aid For Dehydration in Adults
There are some simple first-aid steps you can take if you suspect an adult is suffering from dehydration.
- If the temperature is hot, assist the casualty into a cool, shaded place.
- Encourage them to sit down and stop any physical activity.
- Provide plenty of water or Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to drink. ORS helps to replace not only fluids but also essential salts and minerals that may have been lost.
- If the patient is suffering from cramps, stretch and massage the affected muscles.
- Monitor and record vital signs (eg: pulse and respiratory rate) if trained.
- If the casualty remains unwell or deteriorates, seek professional medical attention immediately.
First Aid for Dehydration in Children and Infants
Children and babies are at a higher risk of becoming dehydrated, but spotting the signs can be more difficult. Very young children and infants are not able to articulate their symptoms, so it’s important to look for clues that could point to dehydration.
Provide immediate first aid and seek medical attention if you notice any of the following signs:
- Extreme or unusual sleepiness
- A drop in alertness or responsiveness
- A decrease in wet diapers
- A lack of tears when crying
- Dark-colored, strong-smelling urine in the diaper
- Cold hands and feet
- Blotchy skin
- Sunken eyes and cheeks
- A dry mouth
The most common cause of dehydration in children and infants is sickness, such as fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Here are the first aid steps you should take if you suspect an infant is suffering from dehydration.
- If the temperature is hot, move the infant to a cool, shaded place.
- Replace fluids. Infants who are breastfed should be nursed more often. Babies who are formula-fed should be given additional cooled, boiled water either mixed with their regular formula or on its own via a teaspoon or syringe. Focus on giving frequent small sips.
- If possible, provide an Infant Oral Rehydration Solution, such as Pedialyte, to replace fluids and essential salts and minerals that may have been lost.
- Dress the infant in lightweight clothing to cool them down in the case of hot weather or fever.
- Observe their symptoms and monitor and record vital signs (eg: pulse and respiratory rate) if trained. If the infant continues to vomit and lose fluid, or symptoms persist, seek medical attention immediately.
Here are the first aid steps you should take if you suspect a child over the age of 1 is suffering from dehydration.
- If the temperature is hot, take the child to a cool, shaded place.
- Replace fluids. Give the child plenty of water or, if possible, an Oral Rehydration Solution such as Pedialyte, in small, frequent amounts. Ensure they take in several small sips every 15 minutes. Ice chips, ice pops, and clear broths can also be used.
- Dress the child in lightweight clothing to help cool them down in the case of hot weather or fever.
- Observe their symptoms and monitor and record vital signs (eg: pulse / respiratory rate) if trained. If the child continues to vomit and lose fluid, or symptoms persist, seek medical attention immediately.
Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Offer clear, electrolyte-rich fluids frequently | Give caffeinated or alcoholic beverages |
| Encourage rest and shade | Force large volumes of fluid in one sitting |
| Use an ORS according to instructions | Use untested home remedies or sports drinks with high sugar |
| Keep monitoring symptoms and urine color | Delay seeking medical care if no improvement |
Prevention
Dehydration can be life-threatening if left untreated. But it is also a preventable condition.
Here are several ways to avoid becoming dehydrated in the first place.
- Start the day with a glass of water. We are at our most dehydrated first thing in the morning. So, make it a habit to drink a glass of water immediately upon waking to replenish fluids lost throughout the night.
- Drink when you are thirsty. Thirst is our body’s way of telling us it needs more water. So, take a sip whenever thirst cues kick in.
- Keep a water bottle with you at all times. Refill it throughout the day and set yourself hydration goals, eg. finish a full bottle by lunchtime, and another by the end of the working day.
- Drink more water while exercising. When you exercise, your body loses fluid at a much faster rate, so it’s essential to up your intake.
- Drink more water in hot weather. Hot and humid conditions deplete the body’s fluid levels at a much faster rate. Always carry water in these conditions and take plenty of regular sips. Try to stay in cooler shaded areas and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
- Drink more water when you are sick. If you have a fever, are vomiting, or have diarrhea, you are at a much higher risk of becoming dehydrated, so keep your fluid intake high. Stick to water, sports drinks, or broth.
- Drink electrolytes when needed. If you have been engaging in vigorous exercise for more than an hour, it’s a good idea to replenish not only fluids but electrolytes too. Sports drinks, coconut water, or electrolyte packets dissolved in water are all good options.
- Eat food with a high water content. We don’t just get our fluids from what we drink. Many of the foods we eat can help us stay hydrated too. Try to eat a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Cucumber, cantaloupe, and watermelon are great options as these foods contain around 90 to 99% water.
REFERENCES
- Armstrong LE. Rehydration during endurance exercise: Challenges, research, options, methods. Nutrients. 2021; doi:10.3390/nu13030887.
- Health Education and Content Services (Patient Education). Dehydration in children. Mayo Clinic; 2021.
- Sterns RH. Etiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of volume depletion in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search.
- Kip Soliva, Dehydration: Applying First Aid, Updated 05/22/2024, https://hellodoctor.com.ph/healthy-habits/first-aid/first-aid-for-dehydration/
- Dr Lynn Thomas, Dehydration, last reviewed: 28 April 2025, https://www.sja.org.uk/first-aid-advice/dehydration/
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