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Tips for coping in the heatwave

Tips for coping in the hot weather for older people, people with children and people who have have asthma or hay fever.

A woman wiping her forehead whilst sat in the sun

Hospital services across South West London are currently very busy due to extreme heat, pollution and pollen levels. We’re seeing high numbers of people coming in with breathing difficulties and older people who are dehydrated.

Illustration of a man drinking water from a bottle. Text in image reads; Dehydration. Babies, children and older adults are more at risk of dehydration during periods of hot weather. Visit nhs.uk for symptoms to look out for and what to do next

If you, or your child, has asthma or other respiratory conditions – keep taking your regular preventer inhaler and stay indoors wherever possible, keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible. If you do need to go outside, shower and change your clothes to wash pollen off.

Older people are particularly at risk of becoming unwell during a heatwave. Drinking water and staying out of the sun are most important for staying well – more tips are below.

The NHS is still here for people who need care. If you need medical help or advice your local pharmacy can help with a range of minor health conditions. If you need urgent help please go to 111.nhs.uk first, unless it is a life-threatening emergency in which case, call 999.

Visit 111.nhs.uk

Tips for coping in hot weather

Illustration of a variety of suncream bottles of various shapes and sizes. A hand is picking one up. Text in image reads; Sunscreen. Visit nhs.uk/sun for advice on what to look for when buying and applying sunscreen
  • Keep out of the heat if you can.
  • If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
  • Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
  • Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down.
  • Visit nhs.uk to find out how you can stay sun safe, including what factor sunscreen you should be using.

How to spot if someone has heat exhaustion

Illustration of a woman sat on a bench looking ill. Two people are attending to her as the sun glares overhead. Text in image reads: heat exhaustion. If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down and given fluids. Visit nhs.uk/sun for more info

Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can occur after you’ve been exposed to high temperatures. If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down and given fluids.

Make sure you know the signs of heat exhaustion:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Loss of appetite and feeling sick
  • Excessive sweating
  • Cramps
  • Being very thirsty
  • A high temperature
  • Fast breathing or pulse

If you spot these symptoms in someone, cool them down, get them to drink plenty of water and stay with them until they’re better. Find more on how to treat somebody with heat exhaustion at nhs.uk

Tips if hot weather sets off your asthma

Illustration of a pair of lungs and the sun. Text reads: Lung conditions. People with lung conditions like asthma and COPD are more at risk of their symptoms flaring up where there is hot weather, a high pollen count and increased levels of air pollution.
  • Keep taking your regular preventer inhaler so you’re less likely to get symptoms. And carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times so you’re ready if symptoms do come on.
  • Go for regular asthma reviews to check you’re on the right meds for you, and you’re taking your inhalers in the best way to get the benefits through the summer months.
  • Use your written asthma action plan so you know what to do if hot weather triggers symptoms.
  • If you’re using your reliever inhaler three or more times a week, or you’ve noticed the hot weather’s made your symptoms worse, book an extra catch-up with your doctor or asthma nurse.
  • Keep inhalers in a cool place out of direct sunlight so they continue to work well. Try keeping your reliever in a cool bag when you’re out and about on a hot day. Don’t add any ice to the bag though, because your inhaler needs to be kept dry.
  • Keep an eye on pollen forecasts and find out more about why staying on top of your hay fever symptoms with antihistamines is good for your asthma too.
  • Plan any outdoor activities for earlier in the day when the air quality tends to be better, including exercise.
  • Find out how you can stay well with Asthma and Lung UK’s tips on looking after your lungs in the heat.

Tips if you have hayfever

Illustration of a woman stood in a garden holding a tissue to her nose. Plants are in the background. Text in image reads; Hay fever. Visit nhs.uk for things you can do to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.
  • Your local high street pharmacy can help with advice and over the counter medicine around hayfever.
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes.
  • Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off.
  • Stay indoors whenever possible and keep windows and doors shut as much as possible.
  • Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth.
  • Do not cut or walk on grass or keep fresh flowers in the house.
  • Do not smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse.
  • Do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen.
  • Visit nhs.uk to find out what you can do to ease your hay fever symptoms.

Insect bites and stings

Most insect bites and stings are not serious and will get better within a few hours or days.

Visit nhs.uk for advice on what to do if you’ve been bitten of stung.