LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF IN VERY HOT WEATHER
Most people enjoy sunny weather but extreme heat can damage your health or even be fatal. During a heatwave, when the temperature stays high day after day, it is important to look after yourself properly.
In a severe heatwave, you may get dehydrated and your body may overheat. This can lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which both need urgent treatment. Heatstroke can cause serious damage to your body or even death.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- headache
- dizziness
- nausea and vomiting
- muscle weakness or cramps
- pale skin
- high temperature.
If you think that you have heat exhaustion, you should move somewhere cool and drink plenty of water. If you can, take a lukewarm shower or sponge yourself down with cold water.
If heat exhaustion is untreated, you could develop heatstroke. Heatstroke can also occur suddenly and without any warning.
Symptoms of heatstroke include:
- headache
- nausea
- intense thirst
- sleepiness
- hot, red and dry skin
- a sudden rise in temperature
- confusion
- aggression
- convulsions
- loss of consciousness
If you have these symptoms during a heatwave, seek medical advice.
PEOPLE AT RISK DURING HOT WEATHER
Heat can affect anyone, but some people are at greater risk of serious harm from the effects of extreme heat. These include:
- older people
- babies and young children
- people with mental health problems
- people on certain types of medication
- people with chronic health conditions (such as heart problems and breathing)
- people who already have a high temperature from an infection
- people who consume alcohol or use illegal drugs
- people with mobility problems
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOURSELF
You can take steps and protect yourself by keeping out of the heat, stay cool and drink plenty.
For further information please click on the NHS England - Heatwave Plan for England link below:
Heatwave Plan For England - 2019