The body cools itself by sweating, but in hot weather, body temperature can rise quickly, especially when working or exercising outdoors. Temperatures can reach dangerous levels.
Heat exhaustion or heatstroke?
Heat exhaustion is an early warning: heavy sweating, dizziness and headache, nausea, muscle cramps, pale skin and a fast pulse. It usually improves within half an hour if you move somewhere cool, drink water or an oral rehydration solution, and rest.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency: a body temperature of 40°C or more, with confusion or slurred speech, hot skin that may be dry or sweaty, and possibly fainting or seizures. Don’t wait: call an ambulance on 123 straight away.
First aid until the ambulance arrives
- Call 123.
- Move the person into the shade or somewhere air-conditioned, and remove extra clothing.
- Cool them fast: spray cool water on their skin while fanning, and place cold packs or ice wrapped in cloth on the neck, armpits and groin.
- If they are fully alert, give sips of water; give nothing if they are confused or unconscious.
- Don’t give fever medicines such as paracetamol: they do not bring down the temperature in heatstroke.
Who is most at risk?
- Babies, young children and older people.
- Outdoor workers, and anyone exercising in the heat of the day.
- Pregnant women, and people with heart, kidney disease or diabetes.
- People taking medicines that affect fluids or sweating, such as diuretics and some blood-pressure and allergy medicines: ask your doctor about yours before summer.
- People who are not used to the heat.
Everyday prevention in summer
- Avoid outdoor activity between 11 am and 4 pm, and exercise early or indoors.
- Drink water regularly through the day: pale urine is a good sign you are drinking enough.
- Wear loose, light-coloured clothes and a hat, and use sunscreen.
- Never leave a child, an older person or a pet in a closed car, even for a few minutes: the temperature inside rises to dangerous levels quickly.
If you had heat exhaustion and still feel tired or have a headache the next day, see a family doctor to check your fluids and salts.
