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Summary
Your body normally cools itself by sweating. During hot weather, especially when it is very humid, sweating just isn't enough to cool you off. Your body temperature can rise to dangerous levels and you can develop a heat illness.
Most heat illnesses happen when you stay out in the heat too long. Exercising and working outside in high heat can also lead to heat illness. Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are most at risk. Taking certain medicines or drinking alcohol can also raise your risk.
Heat-related illnesses include:
- Heat stroke - a life-threatening illness in which body temperature may rise above 106 °F (41 °C) in minutes. Symptoms include dry skin, a rapid, strong pulse, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. If you see any of these signs, get medical help right away.
- Heat exhaustion - an illness that can happen after several days of exposure to high temperatures and not enough fluids. Symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid breathing, and a fast, weak pulse. If it is not treated, it can turn into heat stroke.
- Heat cramps - muscle pains or spasms that happen during heavy exercise. You usually get them in your abdomen, arms, or legs.
- Heat rash - skin irritation from excessive sweating. It is more common in young children.
You can lower your risk of heat illness by drinking fluids to prevent dehydration, replacing lost salt and minerals, and limiting your time in the heat.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Extreme Heat (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
- Extreme Heat and Your Health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
-
Hot Weather Safety for Older Adults
(National Institute on Aging)
Also in Spanish
Symptoms
- About Heat and Your Health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
-
Beat the Heat: Staying Safe in the Summertime
(National Institutes of Health)
Also in Spanish
- Extreme Heat Safety (American Red Cross)
Treatments and Therapies
- First Aid for Heat Exhaustion (VisualDX)
- Heat Cramps, First Aid (VisualDX)
- Heatstroke, First Aid (VisualDX)
Related Issues
- Protect Your Heart in the Heat (American Heart Association)
- Safety Tips for Hot Weather Exercise (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Specifics
- Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Heat Rash or Prickly Heat (Miliaria Rubra) (VisualDX)
- Heat Stress and Workers (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Videos and Tutorials
-
Heat-Related Illnesses
(American College of Emergency Physicians)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Dehydration
(National Institutes of Health)
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Heat Stress Disorders
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
- American Red Cross Also in Spanish
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Also in Spanish
- National Center for Environmental Health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Also in Spanish
-
National Institute on Aging
Also in Spanish
Children
- Heat Stroke and Hot Cars (American College of Emergency Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Keeping Kids Safe from the Dangers of Hot Cars (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Rash or Prickly Heat (Miliaria Rubra) (VisualDX)
Older Adults
-
Exercising Outdoors: Safety Tips for Older Adults
(National Institute on Aging)
Also in Spanish
- Heat and Older Adults (Aged 65+) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
-
Hot Weather Safety for Older Adults
(National Institute on Aging)
Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Heat emergencies (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- How to avoid overheating during exercise (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Protecting Yourself from Heat Stress (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Working in the Heat: Know the Hazards (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) - PDF - Information on Workers and Heat risks
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.