As the UK swelters in its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures surpassing 35C, health officials are warning that heatstroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Heat exhaustion, while not usually serious if you can cool down, can quickly escalate into heatstroke, where the body can no longer manage the heat and core temperature rises dangerously high.
According to the BBC, some groups are particularly at risk: older adults, young children, and people with long-term health conditions. But heat exhaustion can affect anyone, including fit and healthy people, especially if they have done strenuous exercise in high temperatures or have been drinking alcohol in the sun all day. It can come on quickly, over minutes, or gradually, over hours.
“Heatstroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment as UK temperatures exceed 35C.”
An obvious sign of heat exhaustion is excessive sweating, along with feeling very hot and unwell – the body's way of warning you to cool down fast. Young children, who might not be able to describe how they feel, may become floppy and sleepy. Some medicines can also make it harder to regulate temperature or increase the risk of sunburn, dizziness, or dehydration.
If someone has heat exhaustion, the advice is to get them to rest in a cool place – such as an air-conditioned room or shade. Remove any unnecessary clothing to expose as much skin as possible, then cool the skin using a wet sponge, spray water, cold packs around the neck and armpits, or wrap them in a cool, wet sheet. Faning their skin while it is moist helps the water evaporate and cool them down. They should also drink water – sports or rehydration drinks are fine too.
Most people should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes. But if they do not improve after half an hour of rest, and you suspect heatstroke, you must call 999 immediately. Heatstroke means the body has lost its ability to regulate temperature, and urgent medical help is essential.
With the UK enduring another extreme heat event, knowing these signs and steps could save a life.