Heat First aid in heat stroke & sunstroke

First aid tips for heat stroke and sunstroke

07/19/2014

The health risks of sunlight and heat are underestimated by many people. In the summer, paramedics and doctors regularly have to provide countless patients with heat stroke or sunstroke. In conversation with the news agency „APA“ explains the emergency physician Dr. med. Gabriele Lerche, deputy chief physician of the Johanniter, what to pay attention to first aid.

Drink enough in the heat and watch out for sunscreen
When temperatures rise in the summer, nobody should go to the sun without sunscreen. Airy clothing and headgear should be standard equipment. Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor and sufficient fluid are also mandatory. Especially for babies too much heat can quickly become life-threatening. Therefore, the little ones should never be exposed to direct sunlight. Otherwise, next to severe sunburns threatened circulatory collapse, sunstroke and heat stroke.

Do not leave babies, infants and the elderly alone in the car due to the risk of heat stroke
Anyone who exposes themselves to solar radiation without sun protection for too long endangers their health: fatigue, headaches and poor concentration are among the first signs. Even the susceptibility to accidents increases. „Typical emergencies in summer are circulatory strain, heat stroke and sunstroke”, reports lark. „Therefore, you should drink enough, preferably mineral water, fruit and herbal teas or diluted fruit juices. Especially in children and the elderly you have to make sure that they take enough liquid. Because they have a deceptively low thirst and feel the lack of fluid too late”. Strong caffeinated drinks, however, are not suitable, should also be dispensed with alcohol.

The expert also points out that babies, toddlers and the elderly - as well as dogs - should not be left alone in the car. In the interior of a vehicle can prevail in a short time 60 to 70 degrees, so there is an increased risk of heat stroke.

What helps against heat stroke?
A heat stroke is characterized by a bright red head, headache, disorientation, nausea, increased body temperature and changes in consciousness. „Affected persons should be immediately put into the shade and cooled with cold and damp towels in the head and neck”, so lark. Patients who have lost consciousness and breathe normally should be placed in stable lateral position. Circulatory and respiratory should also be monitored until the rescue workers arrive.

In a heat stroke, the body temperature rises by a heat accumulation to over 40 degrees. Therefore, cooling is in the foreground. Ice-cold showers are taboo, as they can cause unconsciousness, convulsions and a life-threatening condition of the patient in the worst case.