DR LYNN Thomas, medical director of St John Ambulance says that knowing how to spot the symptoms and treat common heat-related conditions such as heat exhaustion can be vital in helping people to look after themselves.
Heat exhaustion, heatstroke, sunburn and dehydration can be prevented – and treated – if people know what to do.
Heat exhaustion
Long periods in the sun can lead to heat exhaustion, and is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body, usually through excessive sweating.
It develops slowly, and usually happens to people who aren’t used to hot, humid weather, for example at a festival or outdoor event, where it’s easy to develop heat exhaustion.
Look out for: headache, dizziness and confusion, loss of appetite and feeling sick, sweating clammy skin, cramps in arms, legs and stomach, and fast, weakening pulse and breathing.
Treat by moving the person out of the sun, and helping them to lie down in a cool place, legs raised.
Give plenty of water or isotonic sports drinks, and check breathing, pulse and responsiveness.
Suggest they seek medical advice, and call 999 or 112 if concerned.
Heatstroke
This should be suspected when someone becomes unwell, with altered behaviour or reduced consciousness, in hot conditions, particularly if they are very hot.
It can be life threatening, so get them out of the sun, or away from the heat source, immediately.
Remove all extra layers of their clothing, ideally down to their underwear, and spray mist them or pour cool water over them, while fanning them to promote evaporation.
If they are unconscious, fitting, or getting worse, call 999 immediately.
If unresponsive, check their breathing until help arrives.
Sunburn
Avoid too much exposure to the sun by covering up with clothing, staying in the shade and applying high factor sunscreen.
Most sunburn is mild, but in severe cases the skin can become damaged, turn lobster red and blister.
Look for reddened, sore skin, with possible blistering.
Move the person out of the sun, into shade, and cover their skin with light clothing.
Give cold water to sip, and cool the skin with cool water for 10 minutes.
Treat mild sunburn with aftersun cream or spray, or perfume-free moisturiser.
Advise that any blisters are checked by a healthcare professional.
Sunburn can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, in which case, treat and seek medical help.
Dehydration
Dehydration happens when someone loses more fluid than they take in, especially if it’s really hot outside.
Sipping lots of water at regular intervals helps.
Symptoms include: headache, light-headedness, dry mouth, eyes and lips, muscle cramps, and passing small amounts of dark coloured urine.
Move the person out of the sun, help them to sit and give plenty of water to drink as soon as possible.
Oral rehydration solution drinks (available from any pharmacy) will help replace lost salt and other minerals, while painful cramps can be treated with rest, and by stretching and massaging affected muscles.
If left untreated, dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion, so if the person still feels unwell once rehydrated, encourage them to see a healthcare professional straight away.
To keep safe in high temperatures stay well hydrated, seek shade during the hottest part of the day, apply high‑factor sunscreen regularly, and wear a cap or a sun hat in the sunshine.
But it’s important to remember that people can still be affected by the heat, even if not directly in the sun.
For information, visit: sja.org.uk
