Heat stroke is a serious problem that can even cause severe dehydration and 2nd or 3rd degree burns and is caused by excessive and irresponsible sun exposure.
So, to avoid having heat stroke, it is important not to expose yourself to the sun during the hottest hours, between 12 pm and 4 pm, and to use sunscreen, hats or caps and loose, fresh clothes.
What symptoms
Some of the main symptoms that may indicate that a person is getting heat stroke when they are exposed to the sun are severe headache, excessive heat and sweat, feeling of fever, burning skin and redness, dizziness or feeling sick, vomiting and diarrhea.
Although heat stroke symptoms are more frequent on the beach or in the pool, it can also happen when walking on the streets, in the sun, especially during the summer and in hot regions. Therefore, one should be aware of the appearance of symptoms and protect oneself from the sun whenever possible.
What to do in case of Heat Stroke
If any of the symptoms of heat stroke manifest, it is recommended:
- Shelter from the sun in a cool and airy place; Drink fluids to moisturize, such as water or fruit juices; Shower with cold water and apply compresses with saline or chamomile tea on the skin, to help refresh the body; Apply a moisturizing cream or after-sun lotion over the entire body.
However, if the symptoms do not improve after a few minutes and the person continues to feel dizzy or have a severe headache, they should immediately go to the emergency department. See more about what you can do in case of heat stroke.
Main hazards
A sunstroke in addition to mild symptoms such as headache, dizziness and excessive sweating, can also bring more serious health hazards such as increased chances of having 2º or 3º burns caused by the sun, dehydration, flaws in the sweating mechanism and fever, seizures and brain damage.
Therefore, in order to avoid these dangers, it is important to know early on the main symptoms of heat stroke and to take the necessary precautions to prevent this from happening, with children and the elderly being the groups most at risk.
How to prevent heat stroke
To prevent heat stroke, there are some precautions and tips that are essential, such as:
- Apply sunscreen suitable for the skin type, at least 15 minutes before being under the sun. Find out which is the best sunscreen for your skin and how to use it; Drink lots of fluids throughout the day, especially on very hot days; Avoid being under the sun in the hottest hours, between 12 pm and 4 pm, trying to shelter in shady, cool and airy places; if you are on the beach or if you are constantly in the water, you should apply sunscreen every 2 hours to ensure maximum effect; wear hats or caps to protect your head and loose clothing and fresh to protect the body from sunburn.
Generally, the treatment for heat stroke is simple, it is only necessary to shelter in a cool and airy place and ingest liquids such as water and fruit juices, however it is important to pay attention to the first signs and symptoms that may arise.
