A heat-related illness is a medical condition that may occur as a result of heat exposure. Even short periods of high temperatures can cause serious health problems. Heat-related illness encompasses a spectrum of conditions that range from minor illnesses to life-threatening medical emergencies. There are several heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and heat rash.
What causes a heat-related illness? People suffer heat-related illness when the body’s normal temperature control system is unable to effectively regulate its internal temperature. Normally, at high temperatures the body primarily cools itself through the evaporation of sweat. However, under certain conditions (air temperatures above 95 F/35 C high humidity), this cooling mechanism becomes less effective. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Furthermore, without adequate fluid intake, excessive fluid losses and electrolyte imbalances may also occur leading to dehydration. In such cases, a person’s body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures can damage the brain and other vital organs.
Other conditions that can limit the ability to regulate body temperature include old age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, and drug or alcohol use.
Who is at risk of heat-related illness?
Those at greatest risk of heat-related illness include:
infants and children up to four years of age, people 65 years of age or older, people who are overweight, people who overexert during outdoor work or exercise, people with mental illness, and people who are chronically ill or on certain medications.
Any health condition that causes dehydration makes the body more susceptible to heat-related illness. If you or someone you know is at higher risk, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, avoid overexertion, and get your doctor or pharmacist’s advice about medications being taken for:
Health related illnesses include:
Heat stroke
Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention. It is the most severe form of heat-related illness, and it can sometimes lead to death or permanent disability. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s ability to regulate its internal temperature has failed.
Heat cramps: Heat cramps usually affect people who sweat significantly during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body’s salt and moisture. The low salt level in the muscles causes painful muscle cramps, often following exercise. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat as a result of engaging in physical activity (work or exercising) in a hot environment.
Heat syncope (fainting) Heat syncope is a fainting episode that occurs in the heat, either during prolonged standing or exercise, or when rapidly standing from a lying or sitting position. It typically occurs in individuals who are not acclimatized to the heat. Dehydration can also contribute to this condition.
Heat rash: Heat rash is a skin irritation that occurs in hot, humid weather. It is caused by profuse sweating, which can lead to the blockage of sweat ducts. It can occur at any age, but is most common in young children.
Natural remedies for Prickly Heat
Heat rash or prickly heat usually happens during hot and humid climate, when you sweat a lot. The blocked skin pores fail to expel the excess perspiration, leading to rashes. The symptoms of heat rashes are tiny red spots, rashes, small blisters, swelling, or itching. They develop in folds of skin or parts of the body covered by clothes. Thus, neck, groin, chest, under the breasts, and armpits are the areas often affected by it.
Here’s how you can treat them naturally.
- Oatmeal: Besides being your nutritious breakfast, oatmeal has a lot more benefits. It is excellent for delicate skin. Wondering what colloidal oatmeal is? It is nothing but a fine powder obtained by grinding oats. It helps restore moisture to the skin thereby reducing the itching. Moreover, some of the phenols present in oats have anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it can sooth the swelling of prickly heat rashes.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda is another home remedy that can relieve you from heat rash. It removes dead cells and other dirt that block the skin pores, thus, preventing the sweat from getting trapped. Also, with its soothing and anti-inflammatory effects, it can relieve you from itching, which comes with prickly heat.
How To Use
Add ½ cup of baking soda to lukewarm bath water.
You can also mix three to four drops of lavender essential oil with one cup of baking soda and add it to the bath water. The anti-fungal nature of lavender oil helps you clear the skin pores from impurities.
- Aloe Vera: Bringing down your body temperature is an effective way to address prickly heat. Aloe vera’s cooling and moistening effect will be helpful in keeping your body cool. It is also well-known for its wound healing and anti-inflammatory activity.11 Thus, you get relief from the irritation and inflammation of the skin that happens due to prickly heat. Aloe vera offers a protective coating stopping the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. This, in turn, prevents pores from clogging.
7 Ways to survive Heat Wave
Surviving in the extreme temperatures becomes a challenge for everyone. The following steps can help you keep cool during a heat wave even if you have an air-conditioned home.
-Use box fans and ceiling fans to promote air circulation throughout your home: Opening doors in the house and using box fans to push hot air outdoors can function as an “exhaust” system and draw cooler evening air into the house. In the cooler evenings, open all windows and promote as much air circulation as possible. When the sun rises, close all doors and windows, making sure to close curtains and blinds as well, to keep the indoors cool for as long as possible.
-Take advantage of the cooling power of water: Fill buckets or basins and soak your feet. Wet towels and bandannas can have a cooling effect when worn on the shoulders or head. Take cool showers or baths, and consider using a spray bottle filled with cold water for refreshing spritzes throughout the day.
-Head downstairs: Since hot air rises, the upper stories of a home will be warmer than the ground floor. A basement can be a cool refuge from the midday heat.
-Eliminate extra sources of heat: Incandescent light bulbs can generate unnecessary heat, as can computers or appliances left running. Eat fresh foods that do not require you to use the oven or stove to prepare.
-Remember to maintain an adequate level of hydration, which means you’ll need to consume more water than you usually do when it’s hot. If you’re sweating profusely, you will also need to replace electrolytes by eating a small amount of food with your water or by drinking specially-formulated electrolyte replacement drinks. Thirst is the first sign of dehydration; you should drink sufficient amounts of fluids before you feel thirsty in order to prevent dehydration.
– Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine, as both of these substances can act as diuretics and promote dehydration.
-Don’t eat large, protein-rich meals that can increase metabolic heat and warm the body.
