Heat Stroke Home Remedies: What to Do Safely

Heat stroke is a dangerous failure of temperature control that can impair the brain and other organs. Signs can include confusion, fainting, seizure, very hot skin, severe weakness, headache, nausea, or vomiting. Heat exhaustion can worsen into heat stroke, so a person who stops improving or becomes less alert needs urgent help. Read about Heat Exhaustion for related heat illness, but do not use that label to reassure yourself when serious signs are present.

Call emergency services, move the person out of heat, loosen or remove unnecessary clothing, and cool the body with water, wet towels, a fan, or wrapped cold packs. Keep checking breathing and responsiveness. Place an unconscious but breathing person on their side and do not leave them alone. Never force water, sports drinks, or food if they are confused, sleepy, vomiting, or having a seizure. Hospital teams can provide IV Fluid Therapy and monitor body systems when oral hydration is unsafe.

Emergency assessment is needed for altered behavior, collapse, seizure, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, or skin that remains extremely hot. Vomiting increases the risk of unsafe dehydration; learn more about Vomiting while arranging help. A Fever reading may be present, but a normal reading does not rule out heat stroke if the person is deteriorating.

Ask when the person may return to work or exercise, how to prevent another episode, and whether any medicines, chronic conditions, or recent illness changed their heat tolerance.