Watch for the symptoms of heat-related illnesses

Garland County and a large portion of Arkansas were under a heat advisory on Thursday, and the National Weather Service says hot conditions will persist into Saturday.

Some isolated thunderstorms may be seen this afternoon, as well as Saturday afternoon as a weak front moves into the state, and after a brief break on Sunday behind this front, warmer conditions will return for next week, along with increasing humidity levels resulting in heat index values back into the upper 90s to over 100, the Weather Service says.

As high temperatures continue in the coming weeks, the Arkansas Department of Health is encouraging the public to practice heat safety.

Heat stress is heat-related illness caused by the body’s inability to cool down properly. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but under certain conditions sweating is not enough. People who have higher risks for heat stress or heat-related death include children under the age of 4, seniors aged 65 or older, anyone overweight, and those who are ill or on certain medications, the ADH said in a news release.

Simple tips to prevent heat stress include the following:

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

• Wear light, loose-fitted clothing.

• Drink water often. “Don’t wait until you are thirsty,” it said.

• Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities when outside or without air conditioning.

• Avoid unnecessary sun exposure. Wear a hat and sunglasses when 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, the ADH release said, adding that 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; a 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 if 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 sport 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 on the skin. 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 in elbow creases.