It occurs when the body's temperature regulatory system fails. A heat stroke victim's skin is hot, usually dry, red or spotted. Immediate first-aid and medical care are necessary to prevent permanent brain damage or death. A person with signs or symptoms of heat stroke requires immediate hospitalization. First-aid efforts should be concentrated on lowering the body temperature by loosening tight clothing and soaking the clothing with water, removing the victim to a cool and shady area and fanning the head and upper body vigorously to increase the cooling effect.
Heat exhaustion is caused by the loss of large amounts of fluid and electrolytes.
A worker suffering from heat exhaustion experiences extreme weakness or fatigue, giddiness, nausea, or headache. The victim may vomit or lose consciousness. The skin is clammy and moist, the complexion is pale or flushed, and the body temperature is normal or only slightly elevated. Rest in a cool place and an ample supply of water or commercially available liquids containing electrolyte is usually all that is needed for a complete recovery. Heat cramps are painful spasms of the muscles that occur among those who sweat profusely, drink large quantities of water, and do not adequately replace the body's electrolyte loss.