Dehydration can happen if kids aren't drinking enough liquids. They also can get dehydrated if they lose fluids through vomiting, diarrhea, or both. Signs and Symptoms Mild to moderate: a dry tongue few or no tears when crying rapid heart rate fussiness in an infant no wet diapers for 6 hours in an infant no urination (peeing) for 8 hours in children Severe: very dry mouth (looks "sticky" inside) dry or wrinkly skin (especially on the belly and upper arms and legs) inactivity or decreased alertness and excessive sleepiness sunken eyes sunken soft spot on top of an infant's head no peeing for 8 or more hours in an infant no peeing for 10 or more hours in a child deep, rapid breathing fast or weakened pulse What to Do Mild dehydration often can be treated at home. If your child has diarrhea but no vomiting, continue feeding a normal diet. If your child is vomiting, stop milk products and solid foods, and: Give infants an oral electrolyte solution (a solution that restores lost fluids and minerals), about 1 tablespoon every 15–20 minutes. Give children over 1 year old sips of clear fluids such as an oral electrolyte solution, ice chips, clear broth, or ice pops. Give 1 to 2 tablespoons every 15–20 minutes. Get Emergency Medical Care if Your Child: shows any sign of severe dehydration can't keep clear liquids down isn't peeing Think Prevention! Washing hands well and often can help prevent many of the illnesses that can lead to dehydration. Encourage taking in frequent, small amounts of liquids during illnesses to prevent dehydration. If vomiting happens, use only clear fluids to rehydrate. Back to Articles Related Articles Word! Dehydration Don't sweat this long word! Read More Summer Safety Keep the fun in summer by keeping your child safe in the sun, the water, and the great outdoors. Read More Dehydration Dehydration is when the amount of water in the body has dropped too low. Read about what causes dehydration, what it does to your body, and how to prevent it. Read More Dehydration Our bodies need water to work properly. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More How to Be Safe When You're in the Sun It's fun to be outside on a hot, sunny day. But too much sun and heat can make you feel terrible. Find out how to stay safe in this article for kids. Read More Heat Illness Active kids can be at risk for heat illness, which can result in heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke. Learn how to prevent and treat heat illness. Read More First Aid: Heat Illness In hot weather, a child's internal temperature can rise and cause heat exhaustion, which can progress to heatstroke if not treated quickly. Read More Sun Safety By teaching kids how to enjoy fun in the sun safely, parents can reduce their risk for developing skin cancer. Read More What's Sweat? Everybody sweats. Find out why perspiration happens in this article for kids. Read More Dehydration Sometimes kids lose fluids and salts through fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. Here are some tips on preventing or treating dehydration. Read More Diarrhea Most kids battle diarrhea from time to time, so it's important to know what to do to relieve and even prevent it. Read More Vomiting Most vomiting is caused by gastroenteritis, and usually isn't serious. These home-care tips can help prevent dehydration. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.