Signs You Might be Getting Too Much Sun

Three students sitting on a cliffside overlooking the water. 

The summer season is in full swing and with it comes the summer sun. Though the sun is great for giving us vitamin D sometimes too much sun can be harmful to us. Below is a list of common sun and heat related illnesses as well as their signs and symptoms.

Heat Cramps

The first stage of heat illness are heat cramps. These are muscle cramps that are brought on when you’ve spent too much time in heat. Often heat cramps are accompanied by:

heavy sweating

fatigue

thirst

muscle cramps

Heat Exhaustion

The second stage of heat illness is heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion does not require immediate medical attention but should be acted on immediately. Symptoms are the same as heat cramps but now also include:

Headaches

Dizziness and confusion

Pale clammy skin

Fast breathing/pulse

Temperature above 38C

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most dangerous of the heat illnesses. If you suspect someone has heat stroke seek medical attention immediately. The symptoms of heat stroke are the same as the previous stages but now including:

Altered behaviour (confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, etc)

Skin feeling dry with little to no sweat being produced or extreme amounts of sweating

Nausea and vomiting

Flushed skin

chart showing the most common heat illness symptoms