What to do if you think someone has heat exhaustion or heatstroke

When the weather gets very hot, it is important to know how to stay safe and what to do if someone starts to feel unwell. Two common problems caused by heat are heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heat exhaustion is usually not too serious if you act quickly and help the person cool down. However, heatstroke is much more dangerous and is a medical emergency that needs immediate attention. Certain groups of people are more at risk during hot weather, such as older adults, young children, and people with long-term health conditions. Babies and young children cannot control their body temperature as well as adults. Some illnesses and medications, like certain antidepressants or antipsychotics, can also make it harder for the body to stay cool. People who are overweight or obese may also have more trouble cooling down.

Heat exhaustion happens when your body gets too hot and struggles to keep its temperature normal. The most obvious sign is sweating a lot, but you might also feel very hot, have a headache, feel dizzy or confused, lose your appetite, feel sick, get cramps in your arms, legs, or stomach, breathe quickly, or feel very thirsty. Your temperature might be 38C or higher. Young children may not be able to tell you how they feel, but they might become floppy or very sleepy. Heat exhaustion can affect anyone, even people who are usually healthy, especially if they have been exercising hard in the heat or drinking alcohol in the sun. It can come on quickly, in just a few minutes, or more slowly over a few hours.

If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can turn into heatstroke, which is much more serious. Heatstroke means your body can no longer control its temperature, and your core temperature rises too high. Signs of heatstroke include not sweating even though you feel very hot, a temperature of 40C or higher, fast breathing or shortness of breath, confusion, having a fit or seizure, losing consciousness, or not responding to others. If someone has these symptoms, you need to get medical help right away by calling 999.

If you think someone has heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place, like a room with air conditioning or a shady spot. Take off any extra clothing to help their skin cool down. Use a cool, wet cloth, spray water, or put cold packs around their neck and armpits. You can also wrap them in a cool, wet sheet. Fan their skin while it is moist to help the water evaporate and cool them down. Give them water or a sports drink to help them rehydrate. Stay with them until they feel better, which should happen within 30 minutes. If they do not improve after 30 minutes, or if they start to show signs of heatstroke, call for emergency help right away. Heat can be very dangerous, so it is important to know the signs and act quickly to help yourself or others stay safe during hot weather.