Thanks to the University of Nebraska’s Roch Gaussoin,
Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, for compiling this list from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heat-Related Illness:
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
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
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
• Use sunscreen in the future
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
