Signs of heatstroke and heat exhaustion as hot weather continues - and what to do if you fall ill

NHS health experts have outlined the symptoms of heatstroke and heat exhaustion as the UK bakes in hot weather.

Many parts of the country are enjoying warm temperatures, with some areas predicted to have heatwaves. However, with this comes the risk of summer illnesses.

Everyone, regardless of age, is being advised to drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated to avoid the harmful health effects of conditions such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke - which could prove fatal if left untreated, reports GloucestershireLive. Here are more details about the conditions and the signs to look out for, according to the NHS.

• Read More: Met Office hour-by-hour forecast as the hot and sunny weather continues across the North East

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Signs of heat exhaustion

Unlike heatstroke, heat exhaustion doesn’t require any emergency medical attention, so long as the person can be cooled down in 30 minutes or less. If it lasts longer than this, it could turn into an emergency, at which point it is vital to seek medical help.

Some of the signs and symptoms of the condition include:

• Tiredness

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Feeling sick or being sick

• Excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, but a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin

• Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach

• Fast breathing or heartbeat

• A high temperature

• Being very thirsty

• Weakness

How to treat heat exhaustion

If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these five steps:

1. Move them to a cool place

2. Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks

3. Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water

4. Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too

5. Stay with them until they're better

They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes, however if this is not the case, the person’s condition may have progressed to heat-stroke, at which point you should call 999 immediately.

Signs of heatstroke

• The person is still unwell after 30 minutes in the shade and after drinking fluids

• A very high temperature

• Hot skin that’s not sweating, it may look red (this can be harder to see on brown and black skin)

• A fast heartbeat

• Fast breathing or shortness of breath

• Confusion and lack of co-ordination

• A seizure or fit

• Loss of consciousness

Preventing heat exhaustion and heatstroke

According to the NHS, there is a high risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke during hot weather or exercise, with vulnerable people such as the elderly, young children, and those with underlying health conditions (such as diabetes or heart problems) among the most susceptible to heat related illness.

But luckily there are some ways to protect yourself and guard against either condition, such as:

• Drinking more cold drinks, especially if you're active or exercising

• Wearing light-coloured, loose clothing

• Avoiding the sun between 11am and 3pm

• Avoiding excess alcohol

• Avoiding extreme exercise

• If you're inside on a very hot day, close curtains, close windows if it's hotter outside than in your home and turn off electrical equipment and lights that get hot.