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Babies, children and older adults are more at risk of dehydration.
Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include:
Signs of dehydration in a baby may include:
Dehydration can happen more easily if you:
You should drink fluids if you have symptoms of dehydration.
If you feel sick or have been sick, you may find it hard to drink, so start with small sips and then gradually drink more. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol as both will dehydrate you.
If you're being sick or have diarrhoea and are losing too much fluid, you need to put back the sugar, salts and minerals your body has lost.
A pharmacist can recommend oral rehydration solutions. These are powders that you mix with water and then drink.
Ask your pharmacist which rehydration solutions are right for you or your child.
These can be signs of serious dehydration that need urgent treatment.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5 years old.
You or somebody else has signs of dehydration and:
These could be signs of shock, which is a serious complication of dehydration.
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
Once dehydration has been treated, it's important that your child's fluid levels are maintained.
carry on breastfeeding your baby or using formula – try to give small amounts more often than usual
give your baby small sips of extra water if they're on formula or solid foods (if your baby is under 6 months, then boil the water first before letting it cool)
give regular small sips of rehydration solution to replace lost fluids – ask your pharmacist to recommend one
give small children their usual diet
do not make formula weaker
do not give young children fruit juice or fizzy drinks – it can make diarrhoea or vomiting worse
Drinking fluids regularly can reduce the risk of dehydration. Water or diluted sugar-free squash are good choices.
You should drink enough during the day so that your pee is a pale colour.
Drink more when there's a higher risk of dehydrating. For example, if you're being sick, sweating due to hot weather or exercise, or you have diarrhoea.
Children under the age of 5 and older adults should get plenty of fluids as they have an increased risk of dehydration.
A person you care for may not have a sense of how much they're drinking.
You can help them by:
This video shows you how you can reduce the risk of dehydration.
