Profuse sweating, shortness of breath, malaise, headache, weakness, blurred vision, nausea and muscle cramps are all signs of heat exhaustion. After onset, someone suffering from heat exhaustion will have pale, cool and wet skin. Even though the body's cooling mechanism has not yet shut down at this point, immediate steps should be taken to cool the victim, thus preventing further overheating and eventual progression to heat stroke. Medical assistance should be summoned while simultaneously placing the victim in a cool, dry place with his or her feet elevated. All unnecessary clothing should be removed and liberal quantities of water given in small sips.
Heat stroke develops from heat exhaustion and is a medical emergency.
Signs and symptoms include hot dry skin, rapid full pulse, fast deep breathing, twitching and vomiting. An ambulance should be summoned immediately. The basic principle of treatment is to lower the body temperature rapidly. The patient should be undressed and covered with wet, cold cloths or sponged off. The patient should also be placed in front of a fan or in a breeze if at all possible.