The summer months can increase your risk of experiencing heat-related illness.
Heat Stroke
What to Look For
- Confusion, altered mental state
Slurred speech - Seizures
- Fainting, unconsciousness
- Dizziness, nausea, vomiting
- Severe headache and weakness
- High core body temperature (104°F or higher)
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Rapid pulse and breathing
What to Do
- CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY - every minute counts
- Discontinue physical activity and move the individual to a cool or shaded area and remove outer clothing
- Cool the individual rapidly with an ice bath or wet the clothing with ice water or place ice packs on neck, armpit and groin
- Circulate air around the individual to speed cooling
- If conscious, encourage frequent sips of cool water or sports drink
- Stay with individual until medical care arrives
Heat Exhaustion
What to Look For
- Irritability
- Headache and weakness
- Dizziness, nausea, vomiting
- Elevated body temperature
- Heavy sweating
- Rapid pulse and breathing
- Thirst
- Muscle cramps
What to Do
- Discontinue physical activity and move the person to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing
- Cool with ice packs or wet clothing with cold water
- Circulate air around the person to speed cooling
- Encourage frequent sips of water or sports drink
- Stay with individual until condition improves
- GET MEDICAL HELP RIGHT AWAY IF:
- Individual begins to throw up, lose consciousness or symptoms worsen
- Symptoms last longer than one hour once removed from activity and care is given
Heat Cramp
What to Look For
- Muscle cramps, pain, or spasms in the legs, arms, or abdomen
- Muscle feels like it is “balling” up
- Heavy and prolonged sweating during activity
What to Do
- Stop physical activity and move to a cool place
- Frequently sip cool water or sports drink
- Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity (light massage may help)
- GET MEDICAL HELP RIGHT AWAY IF:
- Cramps last longer than one hour
- You’re on a low-sodium diet
- You have heart problems
Heat Rash
What to Look For
- Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples on the skin usually located on the neck, chest, groin, or in elbow creases
- May cause itching and reduce sweating around the affected area
What to Do
- Stay in a cool, dry place
- Keep the rash dry
- Use powder (like baby powder) to soothe the rash
Water Intoxication
What to Look For
- Rapidly drinking large volumes of water
- Very frequent urination and clear in color
- Confusion or unconsciousness
- Weakness
- Vomiting
What to Do
- CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY - every minute counts
- Transport to medical care immediately
- Do not give more water
- If awake, allow to eat salty food or snacks