Heat stroke is a serious and potentially dangerous injury that will require immediate medical attention. It is the most severe condition related to heat and stems from a milder illness such as heat exhaustion or heat cramps. According to the medical definition, a person experiences heat stroke when the body temperature reaches 105 degrees fahrenheit in combination with complications with the central nervous system. This is caused by overexposure to very high temperatures.
The symptoms of heat stroke can be quite detrimental and even deadly if a person is not treated appropriately right away. If you have spent an extended amount of time in the sun and you have any of the twelve symptoms that are listed below, you need to seek medical attention right away. Avoid spending long amounts of time in the hot sun whenever possible as heat related conditions can become severe quite quickly.
1. Very Hot Skin
Skin that is very hot and red is one of the first and most popular signs that a person may be suffering from heat stroke. If your skin feels hot to the touch and your internal body temperature is 105 degrees fahrenheit or higher, it is important to go to the doctor immediately. The skin begins to turn red when you are suffering from heat stroke because it is attempting to cool itself down.
This is caused by a rush of blood to the skin. While a simple sunburn will also cause the skin to turn red, when the body temperature rises to above 105 it becomes quite serious. In addition to the skin becoming quite hot and red in color, it may also feel very dry or be clammy to the touch. This symptom will depend on the type of heat stroke that you are experiencing.