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Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness
It is important to learn how to identify heat stress. Here, we explain the signs and symptoms of heat exposure to look out for and how you should respond. Symptoms vary according to the type of heat-related illness. Babies and young children may show signs of restlessness or irritability and have fewer wet nappies. Older people may become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.
Some heat-related illness and common symptoms include:
- Deterioration in existing medical conditions– this is the most common health problem of heat stress.
- Heat rash– sometimes called ‘prickly heat’, this is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating. It can occur at any age but is most common in young children. It looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. It is most likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts and in the elbow creases.
- Heat cramps– these include muscle pains or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs. They may occur after strenuous activity in a hot environment when the body gets depleted of salt and water. They may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.
- Dizziness and fainting– heat-related dizziness and fainting results from reduced blood flow to the brain. Heat causes an increase in blood flow to the skin and pooling of blood in the legs, which can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure. There can be a feeling of light-headedness before fainting occurs.
- Heat exhaustion– this is a serious condition that can develop into heatstroke. It occurs when excessive sweating in a hot environment reduces the blood volume. Warning signs may include paleness and sweating, rapid heart rate, muscle cramps (usually in the abdomen, arms or legs), headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness or fainting.
- Heatstroke– this is a medical emergency and requires urgent attention. Heatstroke occurs when the core body temperature rises above 40.5 °C and the body’s internal systems start to shut down. Many organs in the body suffer damage and the body temperature must be reduced quickly. Most people will have profound central nervous system changes such as delirium, coma and seizures. The person may stagger, appear confused, have a fit or collapse and become unconscious. As well as effects on the nervous system, there can be liver, kidney, muscle and heart damage.
The symptoms of heatstroke may be the same as for heat exhaustion, but the skin may be dry with no sweating and the person’s mental condition worsens.
More information is found at https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/hazardous-exposures/heat-stress
