Drink plenty of fluids and find some shade

Washington County residents are suffering through the worst heat wave of the year, and many of them are doing so right alongside their animals at the county fair. The thermometer at the Washington Airport read 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, and today?s expected high is 101 degrees with a heat index of 114 degrees. People who spend long periods of time in this weather face the prospect of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Washington County Public Health Nurse Chrystal Woller explained that heat exhaustion is the milder of the two conditions. She said heat exhaustion can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures, especially if a person is not replacing fluids.

?The signs of heat exhaustion are heavy sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness and weakness,? said Woller. ?Those who are most prone to heat exhaustion are the elderly, people with high blood pressure and those working in hot environments.?

If heat exhaustion is severe enough, it can become heat stroke. The symptoms of heat stroke are similar to those of heat exhaustion with the exception of sweating. While a victim of heat exhaustion sweats profusely, a victim of heat stroke does not sweat at all because his body has lost the ability to regulate its temperature. People are at risk of heat stroke when their body temperature rises above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, as measured by an oral thermometer.

Other symptoms of heat stroke are a rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dry skin, dizziness, confusion and even unconsciousness.

Woller said heat cramps can affect any muscle and are usually suffered by people who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. They are caused by a low level of salt in the muscle.

?When we sweat, the body loses salt,? said Woller. ?We need to replace our electrolytes. Any of those sport drinks contain sodium, potassium and electrolytes.?

Woller advised against consuming beverages with alcohol, caffeine or sugar as these ingredients simply serve to make the body more dehydrated.

?Sticking to water and sports drinks is the best route,? said Woller. ?When in doubt, you can?t go wrong with water.?

Heat rash is another condition to watch out for in a week like this. Heat rash is skin that has been irritated through excessive sweating.

?It looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters,? said Woller. ?It occurs on the upper chest. To treat it, keep the affected area dry, use powder on it to increase comfort and get the person out of a humid environment and into an air-conditioned room.?

Woller said that if you do not have air conditioning, go to a friend?s or relative?s house who does.

?Allow yourself a couple of hours? reprieve to help your body recover,? said Woller. ?Take a trip to the grocery store or some other public building.?

In addition to the high temperatures, people outdoors have to worry about the sun.

?People who need to be outside should apply plenty of sunscreen,? said Woller. ?Sometimes, people forget to put it on their ears. This is important, especially if you have short hair.?

Without sunscreen, exposed skin can become red and painful and develop blisters. Woller said sunscreen should be reapplied every couple of hours.

?If you go to a beach, try to go early in the morning when the temperatures are not as extreme,? said Woller.

Infants and people 65 years of age and older are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Woller said not to leave small children or pets in parked cars.

?Use common sense,? remarked Woller. ?Avoid hot foods and heavy meals. Dress infants and children to shade their head and limit their exposure to the sun.?

There are multiple places in Washington to go to cool off. The senior dining room on the third floor of the Washington Community Y is open to the public from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays. The senior dining room has a television in it.

The Central Park Community Center is also open to the public. Its hours are from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. on weekdays. Max Cousins said the building stays open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays because that is Bingo night.

The Washington Public Library is open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday.