With temperatures rising in the coming weeks, the Arkansas Department of Health encourages people to practice heat safety and be aware of heat-related illness.

These conditions, ranging from mild heat cramps to life-threatening heatstroke, occur when your body can’ t cool itself down effectively. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but under certain conditions sweating is not enough. People who have higher risks for heat stress or heatrelated death include children under the age of 4, seniors aged 65 or older, anyone overweight and those who are ill or on certain medications.

Heat-related illnesses are preventable. Simple tips to prevent heat stress are:

• Stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day. If your home does not have air conditioning, consider public places like a library, senior center or mall.

• Wear light, loose-fitted, light-colored clothing.

• Stay hydrated: drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’ t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol and caffeine, as they can dehydrate you.

• Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities if you are outside or without air conditioning.

• Avoid unnecessary sun exposure. Wear a hat and sunglasses when you are in the sun.

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher as directed and reapply as needed. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and heat rash. It is important for everyone to know the warning signs and what actions to take if someone experiences one of these illnesses.

HEAT STROKE

Symptoms include high body temperature; hot, red, dry or damp skin; fast, strong pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and fainting. For heat stroke, call 911 right away, move to a cooler place and help lower the body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Symptoms include heavy sweating; cold, pale and clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; dizziness; headache; and fainting. For heat exhaustion, move to a cool place, loosen clothes, put cool, wet cloths on the body or take a cool bath, and sip water. Get medical help right away if vomiting, dizziness or symptoms get worse or last longer than one hour.

HEAT CRAMPS Symptoms include heavy sweating during intense exercise and muscle pain or spasms. For heat cramps, stop physical activity and move to a cool place, drink water or a sports drink and wait for cramps to go away before starting more physical activity. If someone is on a low-sodium diet, has heart problems or if cramps last longer than one hour, they should seek medical immediately.

SUNBURN

Symptoms include painful, red and warm skin, and blisters. For sunburn, stay out of the sun until the sunburn heals, put cool cloths on the sunburned areas or take a cool bath, put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas, and do not break blisters.

HEAT RASH: Symptoms include red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples on the skin, usually on the neck, chest, groin or elbow creases.

SUMMER SAFETY & SKIN CARE ISSUE ISSUE | JULY 2025 7 OURHEALTHNWA. COM