Which condition is defined by core temperature below 105°F, profuse sweating, pale skin, nausea, dizziness; treat by cooling and hydrating?

• A. Exertional Heat Exhaustion
• B. Exertional Heatstroke
• C. Heat Rash (Prickly Heat)
• D. Heat Syncope

Answer: (A)

Distinguishing heat illnesses relies on temperature, sweating, skin appearance, and how the nervous system is affected. When someone’s core temperature is still under about 40.5°C (105°F) and they’re sweating, with pale skin, plus symptoms like nausea and dizziness, this points to exertional heat exhaustion. The body is thermoregulating but is overwhelmed and dehydrated, yet there’s no major impairment of the brain or consciousness.

Treatment focuses on cooling the body and rehydrating. Move the person to a cooler environment, remove excess clothing, apply cooling methods (cool towels, fans, or ice packs to the neck, armpits, and groin), and provide fluids with electrolytes. Monitor how they respond; if symptoms improve with cooling and fluids, continue supportive care.

If core temperature were to rise above 105°F and there are signs of altered mental status (confusion, seizures, fainting), that would indicate heat stroke and requires immediate emergency care with rapid cooling. Heat rash is a minor skin irritation from heat, not a systemic illness, and heat syncope is fainting due to blood pooling with less emphasis on core temperature or sweating patterns.