June 23, 2023- With the risk of extreme heat coming to Texas the need for those who know what to look for in heat- related illnesses is in high demand. The following is a list of illnesses and what to look for and do in the event of one:
Heat Stroke
What to look for
- High body temperature (103 Degrees F or higher)
- hot, red, dry, or damp skin
- Fast, strong pulse
- Headache
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Losing consciousness
What to Do
- Call 911 right away as 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
- Fainting
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 attention if:
- You are throwing up
- Your symptoms get worse
- Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour
Heat Cramps
What to look for
- Heavy seating 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 attention right away if:
- Cramps last longer than 1 hour
- You’re on 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 on cool cloths on sunburned areas or take a cool bath
- Put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas
- Do not break blister
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 cool, dry place
- Keep the rash dry
- Use powder (like baby powder) to soothe the rash
