Does the searing heat often make you feel sapped? Did that last midday lunch leave you feeling a bit nauseous? Heat exhaustion can often cause many complications. And if not taken care of immediately, it can even turn fatal.
So how can you overcome or prevent heat exhaustion in the simplest and the most effective ways possible?
Given here are the effective remedies for heat exhaustion that you should try:
The best way to treat heat exhaustion is to dab the skin with a wet sponge. You can also consider using a hand-fan to fan air over yourself while you dab the wet sponge on your skin. Dabbing the wet sponge on your body helps to cool it down quickly and effectively (1).
Ice packs are usually used to treat burns and swelling. However, their soothing and cooling effect makes them an ideal remedy for heat exhaustion. Applying an ice pack on certain areas like the groin, armpits, back, and the neck can help alleviate heat exhaustion. Dousing the feet or the head in water can help cool the body down quicker. You can also consider taking a bath in cold water.
Peppermint oil naturally cools the body down, and it has an extremely soothing effect. Dab a few drops of peppermint oil on the insides of the wrists and the bottom of the feet to help reduce the effects of heat exhaustion. You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to a glass of water and spray the mix on the body.
Ice packs are the go-to remedy for heat exhaustion. Adding a few drops of peppermint oil can help accelerate the cooling effect. Apply the ice pack to the carotid arteries for maximum effect.
Dehydration is usual for people suffering from heat exhaustion. Drink plenty of water if you feel fatigued due to heat. But don’t gulp it down, or you might throw up. Better try to take frequent sips.
When we sweat, the body loses important minerals like sodium and potassium along with sweat. Replenishing these minerals by adding table salt to a cup of cold water can help you combat heat exhaustion and balance electrolytes in the body. Simply drinking water can cause the body to go into a state of shock.
One of the best remedies for heat exhaustion is coconut water. Its blood plasma like characteristic helps nourish the body and helps cool the body down at the same time. For people who dislike the taste, you can add a few drops of coconut water to regular water (2).
Mix some sugar and salt in a glass of water. Be sure to add less sugar than salt, as the body only needs a certain amount of sugar. All those energy drinks laced with sugar can cause more harm than good when you are suffering from heat exhaustion (3).
Now that we have learnt how to treat heat exhaustion, let’s look at some ways of preventing this condition.
If you stop sweating, or feel unable to move and cannot drink water, seek medical aid as soon as possible. Heat exhaustion can be a fatal condition. This is especially true for diabetic people and people with other congenital diseases.
Follow these remedies and say goodbye to heat exhaustion once and for all! We hope you found the information helpful. Do you know of any other home remedies for heat exhaustion? Share with us in the comments section below!