International Education > Archive > Category: Special Reports

053019 – Heat Advisory

May 30, 2019

Summer travelers may encounter heat waves at their destination, or engage in activities that will expose them to the sun and high temperatures for longer periods than usual.

Exposure to excessive temperatures for a sustained period can pose health risks ranging from relatively mild rashes and sunburn up to heat stroke, a medical emergency.

WHO provides recommendations for individuals to protect themselves, their families, and communities from the adverse health effects of hot weather.

The CDC provides a chart (lifted below) for Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness

Heat-related illnesses are preventable. Learn the symptoms and what to do if you shows signs of having a heat-related illness.  During a heat wave, follow the directions of the relevant local authorities at your destination to mitigate the risks of heat related illness.

Additionally, sun protection is important all year round, and it is best to use several different kinds. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays causes most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer. The CDC shares recommendations on how to make sun safety an everyday habit so you can protect your skin and lower your chance of getting skin cancer.

CDC’s Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness

Heath Stroke

What To Look For What To Do
  • High body temperature (103°F or higher)
  • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
  • Fast, strong pulse
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Losing consciousness (passing out)
  • Get emergency medical help right away.  A heat stroke is a medical emergency
  • Move the person to a cooler place
  • Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
  • Do not give the person anything to drink

Heat Exhaustion

What To Look For What To Do
  • Heavy sweating
  • Cold, pale, and clammy skin
  • Fast, weak pulse
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Muscle cramps
  • Tiredness or weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Fainting (passing out)
  • Move to a cool place
  • Loosen your clothes
  • Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath
  • Sip water

Get medical help right away if:

  • You are throwing up
  • Your symptoms get worse
  • Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour

Heat Cramps

What To Look For What To Do
  • Heavy sweating during intense exercise
  • Muscle pain or spasms
  • Stop physical activity and move to a cool place
  • Drink water or a sports drink
  • Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity

Get medical help right away if:

  • Cramps last longer than 1 hour
  • You’re on a low-sodium diet
  • You have heart problems

Sunburn

What To Look For What To Do
  • Painful, red, and warm skin
  • Blisters on the skin
  • Stay out of the sun until your sunburn heals
  • Put cool cloths on sunburned areas or take a cool bath
  • Put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas
  • Do not break blisters

Heat Rash

What To Look For What To Do
  • Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples on the skin (usually on the neck, chest, groin, or in elbow creases)
  • Stay in a cool, dry place
  • Keep the rash dry
  • Use powder (like baby powder) to soothe the rash

This post provides general guidance for UT Dallas travelers. Please note the publication date of this post, and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this post may change without prior notice.