Some sluggishness is expected when school’s out. But if your child is unusually worn out this summer, it might be more than later bedtimes and lazy mornings.
“It’s often in the context of not drinking a lot of water,” says Dr. Allison Tripi, a senior staff pediatrician with Henry Ford Health in metro Detroit, who practices in Hamtramck. “It is pretty common with the change of weather getting so hot. We may not have shifted how much water we’re drinking.”
Parents may chalk it up to summer’s slower pace. But if that tiredness persists — or disrupts daily activity — it could signal something more. Here’s what southeast Michigan parents need to know.
Signs it’s not ‘just summer tired’
Tripi watches for symptoms that go beyond what’s typical.
She says, “If your child is lying around and it’s lasting more than a couple days — more than what you might expect for a typical cold, or you don’t really see a reason for it — shoot your pediatrician a message or, if you can, go in to be seen.”
Some signs to watch for:
- Lack of interest in play. “Kids like to play,” says Tripi. If they stop, that’s a red flag.
- Daytime sleepiness or naps after a full night’s sleep
- Poor appetite or weight gain changes
- Skin issues like eczema
- Persistent fatigue beyond two weeks
Plus, don’t dismiss loud or frequent snoring. Tripi says it could be a sign of sleep apnea.
“Do they snore every night?” she says. For instance, “If it’s an 8-year-old who needs to take a nap every day, even if they’ve had 10 hours of sleep,” that could be another sign. School-age kids “really shouldn’t need a nap the next day.”
Tripi adds, “Your pediatrician will get into the nitty-gritty details about if they’re getting enough sleep.”
What’s behind the fatigue?
Tripi says pediatricians dig into all possibilities — from viruses to nutrition and mental health.
- Allergies: “Often, they’re just up all night itching,” she says. “Or parents will say, ‘I can hear their congestion. They just can’t fall asleep.’”
- Low iron: “Low iron or iron deficiency anemia is quite common,” Tripi notes, especially in picky eaters or menstruating tweens and teens. “If a child is drinking too much milk, it can actually make it harder for their body to take in and absorb the iron.”
- Sleep disruption: From allergy-related congestion to later sunsets, summer often shifts bedtime routines.
- Mental health: “If kids are feeling anxious or down, they may be sleeping a ton more. They may be feeling tired,” she says. And families under stress — from food insecurity to lack of safe parks — can see this reflected in their kids.
- Thyroid issues: “It is less common, but it is something I’m always asking about,” Tripi adds.
Don’t overlook metro Detroit’s allergy season
Ragweed hits its peak in August — and southeast Michigan’s sticky air doesn’t help.
“We’re seeing that a lot right now,” Tripi says. “There are the outdoor allergens we think of, but also indoor allergens, like dust mites, thrive in environments with more humidity.”
Symptoms that may point to allergies include:
- Sneezing, itchy or watery eyes
- Clear, runny nose
- Poor sleep, which may lead to brain fog or crankiness
- “They could be clearing their throat more because of the mucus,” says Tripi. “Sometimes we get headaches associated with our allergies, too.”
Allergy-related eczema is also common. Tripi points to a recent case of a parent bringing their toddler in. “They said, ‘This baby is not sleeping, and neither am I.’”
In that case, she says, a topical steroid and antihistamines helped the itching. “We talked about daily care, like Vaseline and Aquaphor,” she adds. “Any type of oily emollient or lotion can be helpful.”
What parents can do
- Encourage water: Younger kids need around 4 cups of water and milk daily, while active preteens may need 8 or more, Tripi says. “We need a lot of water. The more active they are, the more water they need.”
- Keep routines when possible: Even loose structure helps.
- Wash bedding weekly: It cuts down on dust mites indoors
- Note symptom duration: “An allergy could last for over three weeks,” Tripi says. Colds tend to improve in under two.
And most of all, trust your gut. “If the child is being active, choose water or milk to stay hydrated,” she says. “But if it’s affecting their day-to-day activities, that’s not expected.”
This content is sponsored by Henry Ford Health. For related content, visit Top Kids Health Questions Answered!
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