While we are inching closer to the end of summer, now is not the time to forget heat safety. It is always important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses, especially during the hottest months of the year.

During extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises, and heat-related illness can occur.

Sunburn

Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage to the skin’s outermost layers.

Symptoms include:

Painful, red and warm skin
Blisters on the skin.

First aid includes:

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 skin.
Do NOT break blisters.

Heat Rash

Heat rash occurs when sweat is trapped in the skin. Anyone can get a heat rash, but it is more common in babies and children.

Symptoms include:

Red clusters or small blisters that look like pimples on the skin, usually on the neck, chest, groin or in elbow creases.
Rash can be very itchy.

First aid includes:

Stay in a cool, dry place.
Keep the rash dry.
Use powder, like baby powder, to soothe the rash.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat illness and consist of painful muscle cramps and spasms that occur during or after intense exercise and sweating in high heat. It could lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.

Symptoms include:

Painful muscle cramps and spasms, usually in the legs and abdomen.
Heavy sweating during intense exercise.

First aid includes:

Stop physical activity and move to a cool place.
Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm.
Give sips of water or a sports drink unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving fluids.
Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity.
Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour, you are on a low-sodium diet or you have heart problems.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is more severe than heat cramps and results from a loss of water and salt in the body. It occurs in conditions of extreme heat and excessive sweating without adequate fluid and salt replacement. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is unable to cool itself properly and, if left untreated, can progress to heat stroke.

Symptoms include:

Heavy sweating
Weakness or tiredness
Pale, clammy skin
Fast, weak pulse
Muscle cramps
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Fainting.

First aid includes:

Move the person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air-conditioned room.
Loosen clothing.
Apply cool, wet cloths or have the person sit in a cool bath.
Offer sips of water.
Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits or if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illness, occurs when the body’s heat-regulating system is overwhelmed by excessive heat. It is a severe, life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms include:

A throbbing headache
Confusion
Nausea
Dizziness
A body temperature above 103 degrees
Hot, red, dry or damp skin
Rapid, strong pulse
Fainting and loss of consciousness.

First aid includes:

Call 911 or take the person to a hospital immediately.
Move the person to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned environment.
Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or a bath.
Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the upper 90s. A fan can make you hotter at temperatures hotter than the upper 90s.
Do NOT give fluids.

There are some simple tips to prevent heat-related illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids during vigorous or outdoor activities, including sunbathing. Water and sports drinks should be the primary drinks as alcohol and fluids with caffeine (tea, coffee and soda) can lead to dehydration.

Make sure to dress in light colored, lightweight, tightly-woven and loose-fitting clothing on hot days. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat and sunglasses, using an umbrella and using sunscreen that is at least SPF 30.

Schedule vigorous activities and sports for cooler times of the day, mainly before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Take frequent rest periods in shady or cool areas. Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days. Increase time spent outdoors gradually to get used to the heat. Always make sure to warm-up and cool-down before and after exercising.

Cool yourself and others by misting your body with a spray bottle.

If you have a medical condition or are taking medicine, consult your doctor for further advice on preventing heat-related illnesses.

Source: NWS, CDC, John Hopkins Medicine, Mayo Clinic, WebMD
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Image: Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke. (NWS)

Staying Safe From Heat-Related Illnesses