What is the treatment for heat exhaustion?

From the Guidelines

Heat exhaustion should be treated immediately by moving the person to a cool place, removing excess clothing, and cooling the body with cool liquids if the person is able to swallow, as recommended by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. The treatment for heat exhaustion involves several key steps to help the body cool down and rehydrate.

• Move the person to a cool place to reduce further heat exposure.
• Remove excess clothing to help the body cool down more efficiently.
• Provide cool liquids, such as water or sports drinks containing electrolytes, if the person is able to swallow, as suggested by the guidelines 1.
• It is also reasonable to initiate active cooling using techniques such as whole-body cool- to cold-water immersion, commercial ice packs, cold showers, or evaporative cooling methods, although these are more specifically recommended for heatstroke, they can be applied to heat exhaustion as well, with caution and clinical judgment 1.
• Apply cold compresses to areas where large blood vessels are close to the skin, such as the neck, armpits, and groin, to help cool the body down.
• If possible, use fans or air conditioning to speed up the cooling process.
• The person should rest and avoid physical activity for the remainder of the day to prevent further heat-related illness.
• Most cases of heat exhaustion improve within 30 minutes of treatment, but if symptoms worsen or do not improve, medical attention should be sought promptly, as untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening emergency 1.

From the Research

Treatment for Heat Exhaustion

The treatment for heat exhaustion involves immediate reduction of heat gain and measures to facilitate heat loss. The following steps can be taken:

• Discontinue exercise and reduce radiative heat source exposure 2
• Encourage the individual to drink cool fluids 2
• Remove or loosen clothing to facilitate heat loss 2
• In more extreme situations, employ aggressive cooling strategies such as a cold shower or application of wet towels to lower core temperature 2

Cooling Strategies

Cooling strategies are crucial in managing heat exhaustion and preventing progression to heatstroke. Some effective cooling interventions include:

• Ice water immersion 3
• Application of wet towels 2
• Cold shower 2
• Use of an external-cooling device, such as the Arctic Sun Temperature Management System 4

Importance of Rapid Cooling

Rapid cooling is essential in treating heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion. The aim is to reduce core body temperature to <40 °C within 30 minutes 5. Immediate and effective cooling interventions are the only causal treatment for heat stroke, and time is of the essence in preventing long-term damage or death 5

Prevention

Prevention is key in reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses. This can be achieved by:

• Increasing public awareness of the risks associated with exposure to high temperatures and prolonged exercise 2
• Acclimatization to hot environments 5
• Reduced exposure to heat 5
• Terminating heat stress in good time, such as stopping work or exercise 5