19 June 2025
sun

Sunstroke or heatstroke

Sunstroke is a result of prolonged exposure to the sun, especially of the neck and head.

Heatstroke or heat syncope is a result of overheating during prolonged exposure to high temperatures, which disrupts the thermostat in the brain and can cause the body temperature to rise sharply.

Source; Heatstroke and sunstroke: symptoms and treatment | gezondheid.be

Information;  Health complaints in warm weather | Warm days

Heatstroke or sunstroke: symptoms and treatment

Symptoms of a heatstroke?

  • Red or pale face 
  • Glowing skin and/or sweating
  • Sometimes sudden goosebumps
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Thirst
  • Sometimes muscle cramps
  • Nausea
  • Severe fatigue, sometimes fainting

What should you do?

  • Get out of the sun immediately.
  • Lie down in a semi-sitting position in the shade or a cool place.
  • Loosen tight clothing.
  • Place cold compresses or wet cloths on the forehead and groin area.
  • Take a cool shower.
  • Drink small sips of water with a little salt (about a teaspoon per liter) or a not-too-cold (sports) drink.
  • Notify specialized help if the condition worsens or does not improve quickly.

How can you prevent heatstroke?

  • Do not stay in the sun for too long.
  • Wear a hat or cap.
  • Drink enough cool drinks (no alcohol), preferably in small quantities at a time.
  • Avoid strenuous exertion on hot days.

Heatstroke or heatstroke: symptoms and treatment

Symptoms of heatstroke?

  • Warm, dry skin. 
  • No longer sweating.
  • Rapid and sudden temperature increase.
  • Fast heartbeat.
  • Rapid, panting breathing.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea, urge to vomit.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • If your body temperature rises above forty degrees, various organs can fail, and urgent medical help is required.

What should you do?

Heatstroke can be life-threatening. Prompt action is therefore necessary. 

  • Immediately alert emergency services (112).
  • Lay the patient flat in a cool, shaded area. This will send more blood to the brain.
  • Until an ambulance arrives, try to cool the patient as much as possible, as you would with sunstroke.
  • Remove all clothes and cool the affected person: cover the bare skin with wet, cool cloths. Try to re-wet the cloths every five minutes. A fan can ensure even better cooling. 
  • Give water in small sips. Because someone who becomes unconscious and vomits can choke or develop pneumonia. 

In 'general', there are no residual effects after a (well-treated) sunstroke. 

How can you prevent heatstroke?

  • Do not stay in the sun for too long.
  • Ensure sufficient cooling in warm weather (cool room, showering…). Do not engage in strenuous physical activity in hot weather.
  • Wear light clothing, cover your head in the sun.
  • Drink enough, preferably in small quantities at a time. Avoid alcohol.
  • Avoid strenuous activities on warm days.