The Met Office has issued an extreme heat warning for the UK from Monday through Thursday, with temperatures expected to surpass 35C and peak at 38C in parts of southern England and southeast Wales. In response, the NHS has highlighted a critical 30-minute rule: if someone shows signs of heat exhaustion and does not cool down within 30 minutes, it is essential to call 999, as this could indicate heatstroke, a potentially fatal medical emergency.
What Is Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke?
Heat exhaustion is a condition where the body overheats, often causing tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive sweating, pale clammy skin, cramps, high temperature, thirst, and irritability. The NHS explains that heat exhaustion usually does not require emergency help if the person can cool down within 30 minutes. However, if it progresses to heatstroke, the body loses its ability to regulate core temperature, leading to a very high temperature, hot dry skin, fast breathing, rapid heartbeat, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Heatstroke requires urgent medical attention.
Steps to Cool Down
The NHS advises moving the person to a cool place, removing unnecessary clothing, giving plenty of water (or isotonic sports drink or oral rehydration powder), cooling their skin with water spray or a sponge and fanning them, and applying cold packs wrapped in cloth under the armpits or on the neck. Stay with them until they improve. If symptoms persist after 30 minutes of these measures, call 999 immediately.
When to Call 999
Call 999 if the person remains unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place and cooling measures, has a very high temperature, hot skin that is not sweating (which may look red, though this can be harder to see on brown or black skin), fast heartbeat, fast breathing, confusion, lack of coordination, a seizure, or loss of consciousness. For heat exhaustion symptoms that are difficult to treat or if guidance is needed, call NHS 111.
