Heat-related illnesses can happen quickly during the hot summer months. Whether you’re out on the lake, working in the yard, or cheering at a ballgame, summer heat can sneak up on you. It’s important to protect your body from the sun and rising temperatures.

The most common heat-related illnesses to watch for are heat cramps (the mildest), heat exhaustion, and the most serious—heatstroke. These conditions happen when your body overheats and can’t cool down fast enough. And of course, there’s sunburn—something most of us have experienced, but with a little prevention, it’s easy to avoid.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are often the first sign your body is struggling in the heat. They usually happen during or after strenuous activity in hot, humid weather. Symptoms include heavy sweating, thirst, exhaustion, and painful muscle cramps. Quick treatment—resting in air-conditioning or shade and drinking fluids or sports drinks with electrolytes—can prevent heat cramps from turning into heat exhaustion.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is more serious and can be caused by prolonged heat exposure, dehydration, drinking too much alcohol (which affects body temperature regulation), or overdressing.

Risk factors for heat exhaustion:

• High humidity, which doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate easily
• Infants and children under 4, whose body temperature regulation is still developing
• Adults over 65, whose temperature control may be affected by illness or medications
• Certain medications for blood pressure or a heart condition, allergies, tranquilizers, or antipsychotics could affect body temperature or prevent sufficient hydration.
• Obesity, which can impact how the body handles heat
• Sudden temperature changes, like traveling from a cool to a hot climate

Heatstroke

If heat exhaustion isn’t treated, it can progress to heatstroke—a life-threatening emergency where the body temperature rises to 104°F or higher. Heatstroke can cause permanent damage to the brain and organs or even death. Seek immediate medical attention.

Preventing Heatstroke

• Wear loose, lightweight clothing
• Use sunscreen
• Stay hydrated
• Never leave anyone in a parked car
• Avoid strenuous activity in extreme heat
• If you’re at risk due to medications or medical conditions, act quickly if symptoms appear.

Sunburn

Sunburn happens when your skin gets too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A good reminder? Studies of long-haul truck drivers show that the side of their faces exposed to the sun shows more signs of aging, proof that sun damage adds up over time.

Prevent sunburn with a few simple steps:

• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Seek shade during peak sun hours.

Sun damage is cumulative. Even one first-degree sunburn raises your lifetime risk of skin cancer.

Four types of sunburn:

• 1st degree: Red, dry, painful skin; heals in 3–6 days.
• 2nd degree: Painful, may blister; affects the top two skin layers; heals in 7–21 days.
• 3rd degree: Blisters, possible scarring; healing may take longer than 21 days.
• 4th degree: All layers of skin affected, possibly fat or muscle; requires hospitalization or surgery.

Treating sunburn at home:

• Take cool baths or showers.
• Use moisturizer with aloe vera (or pure aloe gel).
• Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream (avoid benzocaine products, which can irritate the skin).
• Take aspirin or ibuprofen to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Drink extra water to prevent dehydration.
• Don’t pop blisters—they help protect the skin while it heals and prevent infection.
• Cover sunburned skin when you go outside to protect it from further damage.

Stay Safe and Enjoy Summer

Heat-related illnesses and sunburn are common in the summer, but they’re also preventable. Listen to your body, take breaks from the heat, and protect your skin.  A little preparation, like staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, and planning outdoor activities during cooler times of the day, helps you enjoy everything summer has to offer while keeping you safe and healthy.

If you or a loved one develops signs of heat illness or has a severe sunburn, don’t wait. Contact your doctor, visit a walk-in clinic, or go to the emergency room for treatment.

Protect Your Eyes From the Sun Too!

Did you know your eyes can actually get sunburned? Excessive exposure to UV rays has short- and long-term consequences to your sight, which can be prevented.

Related sun protection information from Glenwood Family Eye Center: 6 Tips to Protect Your Eyes from Dangerous UV Rays – and the Effects if You Don’t.