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 you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptons of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. Here is a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness and the recommended first aid steps.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
| SYMPTOMS | FIRST AID |
| * Heavy sweating | * Move to a cool place |
| * Cold, pale, and clammy skin | * Loosen your clothes |
| * Fast, weak pulse | * Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath |
| * Nausea or vomiting | * Sip Water |
| * Muscle cramps | |
| * Tiredness or weakness | Get Medical Help right away if: |
| * Dizziness | * You are throwing up |
| * Headache | * Your symptoms get worse after being in a cool place |
| * Fainting (passing out) | * Your symptoms last longer than an hour |
HEAT CRAMPS
| SYMPTOMS | FIRST AID |
| * Heavy sweating during intense exercise | * Stop physical activity and move to a cool place |
| * Muscle pain or spasms | * Drink Water or a sports drink |
| * Wait for cramps to go away before you do | |
| anymore physical activity | |
| Get Medical Help right away if: | |
| * Cramps last longer than an hour | |
| * Your on a low-sodium diet | |
| * You have heart problems |
SUNBURN
| SYMPTOMS | FIRST AID |
| Painful, red and warm skin | Stay out of the sun until burn heals |
| Blisters on the skin |
Put cool cloths on sunburned areas |
| Take a cool bath | |
| Put moisturizing lotion on burned areas | |
| DO NOT break blisters |
HEAT RASH
| SYMPTOMS | FIRST AID |
| * Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples | * Stay in a cool, dry place |
|
on the skin (usually on the neck, chest, groin, or in |
* Keep the rash dry |
| creases of elbows or knees) | * Use powder to soothe the rash |
HEAT STROKE
| SYMPTOMS | FIRST AID |
|
* High body temperature (103 or higher) |
* Call 911 right away |
| * Hot, red, dry, or damp skin | * Move person to a cooler place |
| * Fast, strong pulse | * Help lower person's temperature |
| * Headache | with cool cloths or a cool bath |
| * Dizziness | * Do not give the person a drink |
| * Nausea | |
| * Confusion | |
| * Losing consciousness (passing out) |
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