How to Respond to Different Heat-Related Illnesses

Written by The Health Aisle Team

Medically reviewed by Dr. Aliya Kassamali, PharmD

Rising temperatures and increasing heatwaves can cause stress on our bodies, resulting in heat-related illnesses.

It is important to know the differences between heat-related illnesses to identify if they are serious and how you should respond. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention —so it’s important to know what it looks like.

What it looks like	What to do
High body temperature of 39.4 .C or higher Nausea Dizziness Losing consciousness Confusion Headache Fast and strong pulse	Call for medical help right away Do not drink anything Move to a shaded or cool area Try to lower body temperature with a cold compress or cold bath

What it looks like	What to do
Increased sweating Nausea or vomiting Dizziness Headache Fast but weak pulse Weak body Pale, cold, and clammy skin	Move to a shaded or cool area Try to lower body temperature with cold compress or cold bath Drink water or a sports drink Remove extra layers of clothing Call for medical attention if: vomiting doesn't stop, symptoms get worse, or if symptoms last longer than 1 hour

What it looks like	What to do
Increased sweating Muscle pain or spasms Fever	Move to a shaded or cool area Drink water or a sports drink Wait for cramps to go away beforecontinuing physical activity Stretch and massage out cramp slowly Call for medical attention if: you have a heart condition, cramping lasts longer than 1 hour, or symptoms get worse

What it looks like	What to do
Small red blisters on the skin that look like pimples	Move to a shaded or cool area Keep the rash dry Wear loose clothing to avoid irritating the skin Call for medical attention if: the rash doesn't go away after 3 to 4 days, gets worse, swells, or leaks pus

If heat exhaustion is not treated right away, it can lead to heat stroke, so it’s important to react quickly. Anyone is at risk of heat-related illnesses, but some people may be more sensitive. Pay extra attention to:

adults over 65 and young children, because they are less able to regulate body temperature;
people taking medications that make it difficult to stay hydrated, for example, for heart conditions or high blood pressure. Check with your doctor or healthcare professional if you are unsure; and
people who are overweight. Being overweight can cause your body to retain more heat and make it harder to cool down.

Be careful going out on days with higher-than-normal temperatures and high humidity. Also, rapid temperature changes from cold to hot weather can make it harder for your body to adjust. Protect yourself by being prepared!

References:

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2018, June 6). Heat Stress-Related Illness | NIOSH | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html
National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). (2017, September 1). Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness | Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
O’Connor F.G et al. (2021). Exertional heat illness in adolescents and adults: Management and prevention. UpToDate.
Miller, J. L. (2021). Miliaria. UpToDate.