It seems like the summer is just flying by, and school will be starting in just a couple of weeks! Even with this sign of fall coming, the weather hasn’t taken notice….
yet. Continuing to pay attention to signs of heat illnesses remains important to all of us. Groups such as the very young, older adults and those with mental and chronic illnesses are certainly at higher risk for heat-related illnesses. Some other factors that might increase one’s risk of developing a heat-related illness include high levels of humidity, obesity, fever, dehydration, prescription drug use, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn and alcohol use. According to the CDC, though heat-related illnesses are preventable, over 600 people die annually due to these illnesses.
Are you familiar with the signs of heat-related illnesses and what to do? The CDC shares these guidelines about what to look for, and what to do:
Heat Stroke
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
High body temperature (103°F or higher)
Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
Fast, strong pulse
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Confusion
Losing consciousness (passing out)
WHAT TO DO:
Call 911 right away-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
Headache
Fainting (passing out)
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 help right away if:
- You are throwing up
- Your symptoms get worse
- Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour
Heat Cramps
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
Heavy sweating 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 help right away if:
Cramps last longer than 1 hour
You’re on a 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 cool cloths on sunburned areas or take a cool bath
Put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas
Do not break blisters
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 a cool, dry place
Keep the rash dry
Use powder (like baby powder) to soothe the rash
For more information, please see
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
I do hope that you and yours will continue to stay safe and healthy in the weeks ahead!
Faithfully yours,
