Emergency Medicine
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke: telling them apart and acting fast
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
- Tiredness, dizziness and headache.
- Feeling or being sick.
- Heavy sweating with pale, clammy skin.
- Cramps in the arms, legs or stomach.
- A raised temperature, intense thirst and irritability.
How to cool someone down
- Move them to a cool place.
- Remove unnecessary clothing.
- Give plenty of water; an oral rehydration solution or sports drink also replaces lost salt.
- Spray or sponge their skin with cool water and fan them. Cold packs wrapped in cloth can go under the armpits or on the neck.
Stay with them. They should start to feel better within 30 minutes.
When to call 997
If they are still unwell after 30 minutes of rest, cooling and fluids, or show any sign of heatstroke:
- A very high temperature.
- Hot skin that is not sweating.
- Fast breathing or heartbeat.
- Confusion or lack of coordination.
- A seizure or loss of consciousness.
Keep cooling them until help arrives; if they lose consciousness, put them in the recovery position.
Prevention
- Drink plenty of cold drinks, especially when active.
- Wear loose, light-coloured clothing.
- Avoid the sun at its hottest and avoid extreme exercise.
- Check on children, older people and those with long-term conditions, who are at higher risk.
Note: This content is for general awareness and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. In an emergency, please call 997.
