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Heat-related illnesses: What to look for, what to do

The sweltering heat is uncomfortable. It also is downright dangerous. It's important to know the warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

NORFOLK, Va. — You may not be able to stop the heat of summer, but you might be able to avoid the heat-related illnesses the often scorching temperatures the season brings.

Whether it's you, a family member, a friend, or even a stranger, preventing things such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion begins with recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control lists five heat-related illnesses on its website and breaks down ways to recognized potential problems and what to do if someone experiences heat-related illnesses:

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

RELATED: With heat advisory, NWS urges drivers not to leave children, pets in vehicles

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 

RELATED: Cities open cooling centers to help beat the heat

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

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