Heat exhaustion and heatstroke: signs and what to do

Key rules

• Emergency number: 112 works anywhere in Spain for life-threatening situations, and 061 is the health emergency line in most regions.
• Water: Give sips of water only if the person is fully conscious.
• Medication: Do not give paracetamol or aspirin to someone with heatstroke.
• Unconscious person: Place them in the recovery position and check their breathing.
• Milder symptoms: For heat exhaustion, ask your regional health line or centro de salud for advice, and call 112 if it gets worse.

Heatstroke is an emergency; heat exhaustion is not

If someone shows confusion, fainting, seizures or a body temperature of 40 °C or more, call 112 straight away and cool them while you wait. That is heatstroke. Do not wait to see if it passes.

Heat exhaustion is the milder stage. It can turn into heatstroke if the person keeps getting hotter, so act on it early.

Signs of heat exhaustion

• Heavy sweating and intense thirst
• Weakness, dizziness or headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Pale, cool, clammy skin
• Fast pulse
• Body temperature usually below 40 °C

For heat exhaustion, move the person somewhere cool, cool them down and give small sips of water. Then call your regional health line or your centro de salud for advice. If they get worse, call 112.

Signs of heatstroke

• Body temperature of 40 °C or higher
• Red skin that is hot and dry, though it can sometimes be sweaty
• Confusion, disorientation or agitation
• Seizures or loss of consciousness
• Rapid pulse

The key difference is the brain. Heat exhaustion leaves the person alert. Heatstroke makes them confused, drowsy or unresponsive.

What to do while you wait for help

Call 112 first. Then cool the person, following the checklist below. Keep cooling until help arrives. Two points need care:

• Only give water if the person is fully conscious. Give nothing by mouth if they are confused or unconscious.
• Do not give paracetamol or aspirin. They do not help with heatstroke.

112 or 061?

112 is the single emergency number across Spain. Use it for anything life-threatening, including the heatstroke signs above. It connects you to your region's emergency services.

061 is the health emergency line in most regions. It gives medical advice and sends ambulances. In Catalonia it is 061 Salut Respon. Some regions also have their own non-urgent health helplines, so look up your region's number before summer.

Who is most at risk

Take extra care with:

• People over 65, especially over 75
• Babies and children under 4
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic illness, such as heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, mental illness or dementia
• People on diuretics, blood-pressure medicine or psychotropic drugs
• People living alone, people with disabilities, and people with alcohol or drug dependence
• People without a home, outdoor workers and anyone doing hard physical activity

Heatstroke can also happen at night. Hot homes that do not cool down are a real danger for older people and babies. Check on them during heatwaves.

Choosing between options

Is this heat exhaustion to manage with cooling and advice, or heatstroke needing an emergency call?

• Treat as heat exhaustion: The person sweats heavily, feels weak, dizzy, thirsty or nauseous, has cramps or pale, cool, clammy skin, and their temperature is below 40 °C. Rest them somewhere cool, give water and call your regional health line or health centre for advice.

• Treat as heatstroke and call 112: The person is confused, faints, has a seizure, is unconscious or has a body temperature of 40 °C or more. Their skin may be hot, red and dry or sometimes sweaty. Cool them while you wait.

If you see confusion, fainting, seizures or a body temperature of 40 °C or more, call 112 straight away and cool them while you wait. If heat exhaustion gets worse, call 112. Be extra quick with people over 65, babies, pregnant women and people with chronic illness.

Checklist

• Call 112 straight away if the person is confused, faints, has a seizure or has a body temperature of 40 °C or more.

• Move the person to a cool, shaded place or an air-conditioned room.

• Lay them down and raise their legs slightly.

• Remove excess clothing.

• Cool the body quickly with wet cloths, a cool shower or fanning.

• Put cold packs on the neck, armpits and groin.

• Give small sips of cool water only if the person is fully conscious.

• Place an unconscious person in the recovery position and check their breathing.

Frequently asked questions

Can heatstroke happen at night?

Yes, heatstroke can happen at night, especially when your home stays hot and your body cannot cool down. Older people, babies and people with chronic illness are most exposed. Treat confusion or a very high temperature at night the same way as during the day.

Who is most at risk of heat illness in Spain?

People over 65 (especially over 75), babies and children under 4, pregnant women and people with chronic illness are most at risk. People who live alone, take medicines such as diuretics or blood pressure tablets, work outdoors or do intense exercise are also at higher risk. Check on these people often in hot weather.

Can I give paracetamol or aspirin to someone with heatstroke?

No, do not give paracetamol or aspirin to someone with suspected heatstroke, because medication does not treat it. Cool the person and wait for help instead.