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Signs and symptoms of Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

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Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are:

  • a headache
  • dizziness
  • confusion
  • loss of appetite
  • feeling sick
  • excessive sweating
  • pale and clammy skin
  • cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
  • fast breathing or pulse
  • temperature of 38C or above
  • extreme thirst

If someone is showing these signs and symptoms, they need to be cooled down immediately. These symptoms are normally the same in both adults and children, however children may also become floppy and sleepy.

How to treat someone with heat exhaustion:

  • Move them to a cool place
  • Lay them down and raise their feet slightly
  • Get them to drink plenty of water (sports or rehydration drinks are also OK)
  • Cool their skin with a cool water spray or a wet sponge and fan them (ice or cold packs around their armpits or neck are also good
  • Stay with them until they feel better - they should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes

When to call for an ambulance:

If someone is showing the following signs and symptoms of heatstroke.

  • still feeling unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place and having drunk plenty of water
  • unable to sweat even though they are feeling too hot
  • a temperature of 40C or above
  • fast breathing or shortness of breath
  • feeling confused
  • a fit (seizure)
  • loss of consciousness
  • not responsive

Heatstroke can quickly become very serious if left untreated. If someone becomes unconscious, put them in the recovery position while you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

For more information on heat exhaustion and heatstroke, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/