Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes.
If it turns into heatstroke, it is an emergency.
Check for signs of heat exhaustion
- tiredness
- dizziness
- headache
- feeling sick or being sick
- being really sweaty and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, (remember - a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
- cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
- fast breathing or heartbeat
- a high temperature
- being very thirsty
- feeling weak
The symptoms of heat exhaustion are often the same in adults and children, but children may also become irritable.
If someone looks like they have heat exhaustion:
- lie or sit them down somewhere cool
- take off any jackets, jumpers or socks
- get them some water or fruit juice. Don’t give them alcohol, tea, coffee or an energy drink
- cool them down – use a water spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. A cold pack, wrapped in a cloth, can help.
Stay with them until they're better. They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.
For more help, call 111 or use 111 online.
Call 999 if
You or someone else have signs of heatstroke, including:
- still being unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and having a drink
- having a very high temperature
- having hot skin that's not sweating and might look red (this can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
- having a fast heartbeat
- breathing very fast or being short of breath
- confusion and lack of coordination
- having a seizure or fit
- losing consciousness
Put the person in the recovery position if they lose consciousness while you're waiting for help.