Heat and health

Look out for possible signs of heat-related complaints such as

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• physical weakness
• Headache
• a strong feeling of thirst

Nausea, fever, unusually pale or very red skin, circulatory collapse, confusion or even unconsciousness can be clear warning signs that you are suffering from heat exhaustion or life-threatening heat stroke.

Take sudden symptoms seriously. Take yourself or the affected person to a cool place. Ensure sufficient hydration and cool the body, for example by applying cool (not ice-cold) compresses. Do not hesitate to call the emergency services (112) if necessary.

Even in spring, high temperatures can disrupt the body's heat balance and lead to heat stress. However, every organism can adapt to heat, although this process is slower and less effective in older people and those in need of care than in young and healthy people. The health risk is particularly high if the body has not yet acclimatized to the heat at the beginning of the hot months or during prolonged heat waves with high humidity and night-time temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius.