People react differently to heat, with some fine even as temperatures soar, while others struggle.
Particularly at risk of health problems caused by heat are people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, babies and young children, and people with pre-existing conditions, according to Germany's Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG).
When does it become critical? An overview.
Sunstroke: hot head, sometimes a stiff neck
Have you been sitting in the blazing sun for a long time without a cap or hat? Then you’re at risk of sunstroke. This causes irritation of the meninges and, in severe cases, even brain swelling, says the BIÖG. This can manifest itself through the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Hot, red head
- Those affected may also experience a slight fever, impaired consciousness, seizures and a stiff neck
Bear in mind that symptoms may not appear until 2 to 12 hours after exposure to direct sunlight. Babies, young children and people with little hair on their heads are particularly at risk of sunstroke.
Recognising heatstroke: Impaired consciousness is a warning sign
When someone has heatstroke, their body is no longer able to dissipate all the heat through sweating and other means so it builds up.
Their body temperature rises to 41 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, says Germany's Health Knowledge Foundation.
The BIÖG lists the following as further warning signs indicating heatstroke:
- reddened, hot and dry skin
- nausea, dizziness, vomiting
- seizures
- rapid breathing and a rapid, weak pulse
- confusion, drowsiness, up to and including loss of consciousness
Heatstroke is life-threatening. If you see someone you suspect is suffering from this, immediately call the emergency services on your local number.
Recognising dehydration using skin fold and pressure tests
On hot days, the body loses a great deal of fluid through sweating. If we do not drink enough, we are at risk of fluid deficiency, known in medical terms as dehydration. This can manifest as:
- dry, chapped lips
- infrequent urge to urinate
- reduced performance, tiredness, difficulty concentrating
- mild headaches, dizziness
The skin pinch test can also reveal whether the body has already lost too much fluid. To do this, pinch the skin on the back of your hand and release it. If it smooths out only very slowly, this indicates you lack fluids.
Alternatively, briefly press on the nail bed. If your body is adequately hydrated, the pink colour of the skin returns to normal after 2 to 3 seconds.
What to do in heat-related emergencies:
Heatstroke, dehydration and sunstroke are not always easy for laypeople to distinguish from one another. Plus, they can occur at the same time.
If you notice that you or someone else is unwell on hot summer days, you should bear the following in mind:
If a person’s consciousness is impaired or they are already unconscious, you should dial the emergency number for help.
As a general rule, get out of the heat quickly and into the shade or a cool place. Slightly elevate the head and upper body.
If you suspect sunstroke, cover the back of the neck with damp cloths. Damp compresses also help to cool the body if you suspect heatstroke.
The BIÖG also advises removing any excess clothing.
Generally, not only when at risk of dehydration, always drink plenty of fluids, ideally water, unsweetened teas and diluted fruit juice spritzers.
But if someone is unconscious or severely confused, do not give them any fluids as they could choke, warns the BIÖG.
If someone is dehydrated, they should consume bananas, dried fruit or isotonic sports drinks as these provide a combination of fructose and minerals that helps the body absorb water more quickly.
But if the symptoms are not improving, see a doctor as soon as possible.
