Can heat stroke make you feel cold?

Heat stroke overwhelms the body's cooling system. Skin may feel cool, clammy or unusually dry as sweating changes, while the body's internal temperature remains dangerously high. Chills, goosebumps or shivering do not rule out heat illness. Confusion, a severe headache, weakness, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting can accompany the change in skin sensation. Heat exhaustion is a related but less severe condition; symptoms can worsen into heat stroke if cooling and fluids do not restore normal function.

Move the person to shade or an air-conditioned place, remove extra clothing and cool the skin with wet cloths, a fan or cool water. Call emergency services immediately if heat stroke is suspected. Stay with the person and place them on their side if they are vomiting or not fully alert. Do not give drinks to someone who is confused, drowsy, having a seizure or unable to swallow safely. Medical teams may use monitored cooling and IV fluid therapy.

Call emergency services now for confusion, collapse, seizure, loss of consciousness, trouble breathing, repeated vomiting or inability to drink. Do not wait for the skin to feel hot or for a thermometer reading. Anyone who remains weak, dizzy, unusually sleepy or unwell after heat exposure should receive prompt medical assessment, especially after exercise, in a hot room or when taking medicines that affect sweating or fluid balance.

Ask which warning signs should prompt emergency care, whether any medicines increase heat sensitivity, and when it is safe to return to exercise, work or sauna use. Tell the clinician when the exposure began, what cooling was attempted, whether vomiting occurred and whether the person became confused or faint.