Prevent and treat heat-related illness

Understand heat-related symptoms to keep yourself and others safe during hot weather.

Understanding the signs of heat-related illness—and how to respond—can save lives during periods of extreme heat. This page outlines the symptoms and appropriate actions for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Whether you are caring for yourself, a loved one, or a member of your community, quick recognition and response can prevent serious health outcomes and help keep everyone safe during hot weather.

Know the signs and beat the heat!

Heat cramps

Recognize the signs:

• Lots of sweating
• Muscle cramps (often in the stomach, arms, or legs)

Actions to take:

• Provide water, clear juice, or a sports drink
• Encourage individuals to stop exerting themselves physically and move to a cool place
• Have them wait for the cramps to go away before doing any more physical activity

Seek medical attention if:

• The person’s symptoms are getting worse
• Cramps last longer than 1 hour
• The person is on a low sodium diet, has heart problems, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions like asthma or diabetes.

Heat exhaustion

Look for:

Symptoms above plus:

• Feeling tired or weak
• Fast or weak pulse
• Cold, pale, and clammy skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache or dizziness
• Irritability

Actions to take:

• Provide water and encourage them to drink more fluids
• Move them to a cool place
• Encourage them to lie down
• Loosen their clothes or change into lightweight clothing
• Apply cool wet towels or cloths on the person

Seek medical attention if:

• The person is throwing up
• The person is getting worse
• Symptoms last longer than 1 hour
• The person has heart problems, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions like asthma or diabetes

Heat stroke

Look for:

Symptoms above plus:

• High body temperature (higher than 103°F)
• Throbbing headache
• Seizures
• Altered mental state or confusion
• Unconsciousness (passing out)

Actions to take:

• Call 9-1-1 – this is a medical emergency
• Cool immediately:
  • Apply cool wet towels or soak with cool water
  • Remove outer clothing
• Keep them safe:
  • If there is vomiting, turn the person on their side to keep the airway open
  • If they are having a seizure, make the area safe by removing anything that may cause injury

Who can I contact to learn more?

Specialists at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health, are available to answer your questions. Contact us at [phone] (TTY: [phone].

Additional resources