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Health & Disease Prevention, National Health Observances

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

 

Source https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html#text