Why chill out?Anyone can succumb to heat-related illnesses, especially during hot summer weather. Show
The body normally cools itself by sweating, but when humidity is high and sweat does not evaporate quickly, body temperature can rise rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs. Other factors that increase risk include age, weight, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use. Heat-related illness:Heat exhaustion is a relatively mild form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate hydration. Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat. Warning signs of heat exhaustion include:
If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms are severe, or if the person has heart problems or high blood pressure. Otherwise, help the person to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour. Cooling measures that may be effective include the following:
Heat stroke is defined as a core body temperature of more than 105° F and brain dysfunction. The body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include the following:
If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 while you begin cooling the person. Get the person to an air-conditioned area, or a shady area, and cool them rapidly using whatever methods you can, for example:
Monitor body temperature, and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102° F. Sometimes a person's muscles will begin to twitch uncontrollably as a result of heat stroke. If this happens, prevent self-injury but do not place any object in the mouth and do not give fluids. If there is vomiting, make sure the airway remains open by turning the person on his/her side. Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms—usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs—that may occur in association with sweating during strenuous activity. If you have heart problems or are on a low-sodium diet, get medical attention for heat cramps. If medical attention is not necessary, take these steps:
Sunburn damages the skin and should be avoided. Although the discomfort is usually minor and healing often occurs in about a week, more severe sunburn may require medical attention. Consult a health care provider if the sunburn affects an infant younger than one year old or if these symptoms are present:
Also, remember these tips when treating sunburn:
Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age but is most common in young children. Heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases. The best treatment for heat rash is to provide a cooler, less humid environment. Keep the affected area dry. Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort. Beat the heat: suggestions for staying cool
For more information:How to Get Health Care - Appointments are required for clinic visits. In-person as well as telehealth options are available. Nurse Advice by Phone is available day and night, which may save a trip to UHS or the ER. In which heat emergency should you apply cool packs to the neck groin?Ice packs against the neck, under the arms, and in the groin area, where large blood vessels lie close to the skin surface, will help quickly cool down a victim of heatstroke.
Which types of burns require immediate attention due to location?Third-degree burns are much more significant and always require urgent attention. These burns affect the first and second layers of the skin, as well as the underlying fatty tissue. Patients should be aware that third-degree burns may look charred or leathery, with brown, white, or red skin.
What is the first course of action when treating generalized hypothermia or frostbite?In all cases, rapid rewarming of the affected area is the first step.
What is the position of comfort for a casualty from an open chest wound?Keep the person on their side unless this makes it harder for them to breathe. Let out as much excess air as possible from the chest while making sure that the person can still breath. If the person loses consciousness or stops breathing, do the following: perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
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