NewsHealthHealthHeatstroke can be dangerous and requires immediate medical help11:19, 22 May 2026The NHS has urged Brits to "call 999 now" if they spot a potentially serious hot weather symptom appearing on the skin. With the UK set to experience high temperatures this weekend, it's vital to recognise any indicators of heatstroke.‌The NHS states that heat exhaustion can develop into heatstroke without swift treatment. "Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes," the health body said.‌"If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency." On its website, the NHS warns you should "call 999 now if you or someone else have signs of heatstroke".‌One crucial sign includes skin that feels hot but isn't sweating and may look red. The NHS notes that this can be harder to spot on brown and black skin.Emergency help should also be called if someone stays unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, receiving cooling treatment and drinking fluids. Additional heatstroke symptoms requiring immediate 999 assistance include:‌An extremely high temperatureRapid pulseFast breathing or shortness of breathConfusion and lack of coordinationSeizure or fitLoss of consciousnessREAD MORE: 'Bungling doctors spent 7 years treating me for terminal cancer I never had'READ MORE: Gut health doctor Megan Rossi lists three ways to stop bloating when flying"Put the person in the recovery position if they lose consciousness while you're waiting for help," the NHS says.Before developing into heatstroke, the warning signs of heat exhaustion to look out for include:‌TirednessDizzinessHeadacheFeeling sick or being sickCramps in the arms, legs and stomachExcessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rashFast breathing or heartbeatA high temperatureBeing very thirstyWeaknessThe NHS said: "The symptoms of heat exhaustion are often the same in adults and children, although children may become irritable too."What to do if someone has symptomsIf someone you know is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down straight away and given fluids. The NHS recommends following these four crucial steps:‌Move them to a cool placeRemove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socksGet them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool waterCool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good tooYou should stay with them until they recover, which should take 30 minutes. However, if this approach doesn't work you may need to call 999.Article continues belowPreventing heatstroke"There's a high risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke during hot weather or exercise," the NHS says. To help prevent heat exhaustion or heatstroke the health body recommends you:Drink more cold drinks, especially if you're active or exercisingWear light-coloured, loose clothingAvoid the sun between 11am and 3pm Avoid excess alcoholAvoid extreme exercise If you're inside on a very hot day, close curtains, close windows if it's hotter outside than in your home and turn off electrical equipment and lights that get hotFollowing this advice will also ward off dehydration and assist your body in regulating its temperature.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Fitness And HealthHealthy LifestyleHealthy LifeHealth and LeisureHealthHealthy LivingWeatherHeatwaveNHS