Heatstroke, sunburn
Aneta Mrkvičková
Heatstroke, sunburn2
Learning objectives
̶ Student will learn the difference between heatstroke and sunburn.
̶ Student will learn how to evaluate the condition of a patient with
hyperthermia and provide first aid.
Heatstroke, sunburn3
Heatstroke = overheating
Definition
Sunburn
̶ Overheating of the organism
due to exposure to high
temperature (exceeding the
maximum body temperature)
̶ The organism is no longer able
to cool down effectively (failure
of thermoregulation)
̶ Overheating of the body,
especially the head, when
exposed to the sun and high
outside temperatures
Heatstroke, sunburn4
Causes
̶ Too high outside temperature
̶ Inappropriate clothes
̶ High relative humidity (sweating is not working)
̶ Insufficient drinking regime
̶ Sunburn is caused by a long stay in the heat and in the sun
without a head covering
Heatstroke, sunburn5
Symptoms
̶ Hypertermia (up to 41°C)
̶ Red hot skin
̶ Headaches, dizziness
̶ Nausea, vomiting
̶ Tachycardia, tachypnoea
̶ Convulsions from fluid and ion loss
̶ Disorientation, unconsciousness
̶ Manifestations may appear after several hours
Heatstroke, sunburn6
First aid- heatstroke
̶ Prevent further heating - move the affected person to a colder
room, to the shade, cold wraps
̶ CAVE for hypothermia
̶ If the patient is conscious, we serve drinks (ideally ionic drinks,
mineral water)
̶ In case of impaired consciousness, we proceed according to SSS
ABC
Heatstroke, sunburn7
First aid- sunburn
̶ The same procedure as for heatstroke
̶ In addition, we put cold wrap on the head
̶ Headache can be relieved with paracetamol (=acetaminophen) if
the patient is conscious and does not vomit
Heatstroke, sunburn8
Prevention
̶ Sufficient drinking regime (non-alcoholic drinks)
̶ Adequate clothing, including a head covering
̶ Adequate physical activity
Heatstroke, sunburn9
Learning outcomes
̶ Student is able to explain the difference between heatstroke and
sunburn.
̶ Student is able to describe how to provide FA in case of
heatstroke and sunburn.
̶ Student is able to list possible preventive steps for heatstroke and
sunburn.
Heatstroke, sunburn10
Sources
̶ https://cprguidelines.eu/sites/573c777f5e61585a053d7ba5/conten
t_entry573c77e35e61585a053d7baf/573c78115e61585a053d7bc
e/files/S0300-9572_15_00329-9_main.pdf?
̶ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320226
Simulation Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
2020