How to Tell the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

# How to Tell the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Summer heat poses real risks to children. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two separate conditions that require different responses, and parents need to spot the difference fast.

Heat exhaustion comes first. Your child will seem tired and weak, complain of a headache, and sweat heavily. Their skin stays cool and clammy. They might feel nauseous or dizzy. Body temperature stays around 104 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Heat exhaustion is your warning signal. Move your child indoors immediately, give them water to drink, and apply cool compresses to their skin. Most children recover within 30 minutes with these steps.

Heat stroke is the emergency. This happens when the body can no longer cool itself down. Body temperature climbs above 104 degrees. Your child may stop sweating entirely, which seems counterintuitive but signals danger. Their skin turns hot and red. They might become confused, lose consciousness, or have seizures. Heat stroke can cause permanent organ damage in minutes.

If you suspect heat stroke, call 911. Don't wait. While waiting for help, move your child to air conditioning and apply ice packs to their neck, armpits, and groin where major blood vessels run close to the skin. Remove excess clothing. This is not the time for gradual cooling. Cool their body as aggressively as possible.

Prevention matters most. Keep children hydrated throughout the day, not just when they ask for water. Limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Dress them in lightweight, light-colored clothing. Watch for heat illness signs in children playing sports or in cars, where temperatures spike dangerously fast.

Young children and babies have less ability to regulate temperature. Older kids with certain medical conditions face