Several weeks ago, I relocated from Northern Virginia to Phoenix with my two kids in tow. While I had previously lived on the West Coast (including PHX) one thing I forgot – it’s damn hot. We’re not talking that great for your curls humid heat, but that forever feeling of dry mouth heat.
READ: The 5 People Most Likely To Become Dehydrated
Naturally, the daily average temp of 110+ degrees put a damper on all the outdoor activities I had planned for my little ones including: hiking, biking, lounging by the pool, etc. So, in an effort to better protect my children (as they are far more susceptible to heat exhaustion than adults), I visited a local public health center to get a better grasp on the warning signs, symptoms and treatment for heat exhaustion and stroke.
Here’s what I learned:
Normal reactions to hot weather may include:
- Heavy sweating
- Redness of the face
- Heavy breathing
- Thirst
- Muscle cramps
Signs of overexertion and possibly heat exhaustion may look a little something like this:
- Dizziness, weakness
- Beet-red skin and looking miserable
- Clamminess
- Fatigue
- Fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Lack of sweat