The NHS is advising people to understand when hot weather stops being uncomfortable and becomes serious enough to require emergency help. The warning comes as the UK continues to experience extreme heat, with temperatures in some parts of England climbing close to 40°C.
The Met Office has also put a further yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in place as sweltering conditions persist. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can increase the risk of heat-related illness, including heat exhaustion and the more dangerous condition of heatstroke.
In a post shared on Instagram, the health service said: “Know the different signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes.
“But if it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency. It’s important to know the signs of heatstroke and how to get help. Call 999 if you or someone else has signs of heatstroke.”
What are the differences between heat exhaustion and heatstroke?
Signs of heat exhaustion are typically similar in adults and children. Anyone affected should be moved somewhere cooler, helped to bring their temperature down and encouraged to drink fluids.
According to the NHS, the key warning signs to watch for include:
Heatstroke is treated as a medical emergency. NHS guidance states that anyone experiencing it should seek immediate medical assistance.
Heatstroke symptoms are far more serious than those linked to heat exhaustion, and may include:
- a very high temperature
- hot skin without sweating (this can be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- fast breathing and a fast heartbeat
- confusion and restlessness
- seizures or fits
- loss of consciousness
Call 999 if you, or someone else, have signs of heatstroke. The emergency services suggest that people might be dealing with heatstroke if they are “still unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place”, which includes being cooled and drinking fluids.
Do not drive yourself to A&E. The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
