Heat-related illnesses include heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps, and sunburn. Sunburn is caused by over-exposure to sunlight. Symptoms are redness, swelling and sometimes blistering. Pain occurs within six to 48 hours of exposure. Heat rash, commonly known as prickly heat, occurs when the sweat ducts become clogged and the sweat becomes trapped.
Heat cramps occur when a person sweats heavily and loses a great amount of salt.
Cramping of the arms, legs, and abdomen can happen during or after exercise or physical work, such as when hiking, running, or lifting heavy objects. Heat exhaustion is caused by not drinking enough water or other fluids. The signs to look for are weakness, faintness, dizziness, sweaty skin, headaches, nausea, and possible loss of appetite. Heat exhaustion, left untreated, can lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke symptoms include headaches, nausea, high body temperature, and a possible loss of consciousness.