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

CS280226

Heat_Related_Illness.pdf

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection