Heat Stroke

Working in the heat comes with a list of hazards. If your job is outside in the sun, inside a hot building, you must wear layers of heavy protective clothing and/or you perform strenuous physical activity, you are at risk for overheating. Personal factors such as lifestyle, habits, and body condition can contribute to your risk. Think of heat-related illness as a running on a continuum. It can be as mild as feeling a little uncomfortable to as critical as death.  

Heat Rash 

Heat rash is a skin irritation cause by excessive sweating during hot weather. Heat rash consists of clusters of red pimples, or blisters that usually appear on the neck, upper chest, groin, under the breast of in the creases of your elbows. If you are experiencing a heat rash, you should move to a cooler, less humid area. Keep the rash area dry. You can apply powder to the rash but avoid ointments and creams.  

Heat Cramps 

Heat cramps happen when you sweat profusely during strenuous activity. Heavy sweating causes depletion of your body’s salt and moisture. Cramps result from low salt levels in your muscles. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion. Heat cramps or spasms affect the muscles of the abdomen, arms or legs. If you experience heat cramps, you need to drink water or have a snack to replace carbohydrates and electrolytes— do this every 15 minutes. Seek professional medical help if you have a heart condition or your symptoms do not subside within an hour. 

Heat Syncope 

Heat syncope is a fainting episode or dizziness that occurs when standing for too long or standing up suddenly after sitting or lying down. Heat syncope is usually caused by dehydration or lack of acclimatization (the process or result of becoming accustomed to a new climate or to new conditions). A person experiencing heat syncope should sit or lie down in a cool place and slowly drink water, clear juice, or a sports drink. 

Rhabdomyolysis 

Rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) is a medical condition associated with heat stress and prolonged physical exertion. Rhabdo causes the rapid breakdown, rupture, and death of muscle. When muscle tissue dies, electrolytes and large proteins are released into the bloodstream. This can cause irregular heart rhythms, seizures, and damage to the kidneys. If you experience muscle cramps or pain and/or abnormally dark urine, you should stop activity, drink water, seek professional medical care and ask to be checked for rhabdomyolysis. They will analyze a blood sample for creatine kinase. 

Heat exhaustion  

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt through sweating. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature, and decreased urine output. A person with heat exhaustion needs to be evaluated and treated by a medical professional. In the meantime, move the person to a cooler area, give them water to drink, remove any unnecessary clothing, and try to cool them with cool compresses or water. 

Heat Stroke 

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. The body can no longer control its temperature and is unable to cool down. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death without proper medical treatment. Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, hot dry skin or profuse sweating, seizures and an extremely high body temperature. If you suspect someone is suffering heat stroke, seek medical care at once. Move the person to a cooler area, remove outer clothing and cool the person quickly. Cooling can be carried out with a cool water or ice bath, or by placing wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits and groin. Placing a fan near the person will help speed the cooling. 

Keep yourselves and your coworkers safe from heat-related illnesses by educating yourselves and having a plan. 

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