heat related illness

Heat-Related Illnesses

Heat Stroke

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • High body temperature (103°F or higher)

  • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin

  • Fast, strong pulse

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Confusion

  • Losing consciousness (passing out)

WHAT TO DO

  • Call 911 right away-heat stroke is a medical emergency

  • Move the person to a cooler place

  • Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath

  • Do not give the person anything to drink

Heat Exhaustion

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • Heavy sweating

  • Cold, pale, and clammy skin

  • Fast, weak pulse

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Muscle cramps

  • Tiredness or weakness

  • Dizziness

  • Headache

  • Fainting (passing out)

WHAT TO DO

  • Move to a cool place

  • Loosen your clothes

  • Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath

  • Sip water

Get medical help right away if:

  • You are throwing up

  • Your symptoms get worse

  • Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour

Heat Cramps

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • Heavy sweating during intense exercise

  • Muscle pain or spasms

WHAT TO DO

  • Stop physical activity and move to a cool place

  • Drink water or a sports drink

  • Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity

Get medical help right away if:

  • Cramps last longer than 1 hour

  • You’re on a low-sodium diet

  • You have heart problems

Sunburn

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • Painful, red, and warm skin

  • Blisters on the skin

WHAT TO DO

  • Stay out of the sun until your sunburn heals

  • Put cool cloths on sunburned areas or take a cool bath

  • Put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas

  • Do not break blisters

Heat Rash

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples on the skin (usually on the neck, chest, groin, or in elbow creases)

WHAT TO DO

  • Stay in a cool, dry place

  • Keep the rash dry

  • Use powder (like baby powder) to soothe the rash