This Monday, August 11, Météo-France launched the Red Heatworm vigilance in twelve departments, including Aude, Haute-Garonne, Tarn, Gers, Landes, Gironde, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Dordogne, Charente and Charente-Maritime. The temperatures recorded are 42.2 ° C in Hérault and 41.3 ° C in the Pyrénées-Orientales. The alert is maintained for tomorrow Tuesday. Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical, details the gestures to be adopted to limit risks.
Hydrate regularly and effectively
For the emergency room, hydration is the first weapon against heat strokes. He recalls that a healthy adult must drink “2.5 to 3 liters per day minimum“And, in case of physical activity,”Add 500 to 750 ml per hour of effort“.
He insists: “It is essential to drink before being thirsty, because thirst already indicates dehydration “.
The basic drink remains cool water, but not icy. In case of abundant perspiration, it recommends “slightly salty water, up to 1 g/l “. Conversely, our expert advisable “alcohol, caffeinated and very sweet drinks “. To complete hydration, he suggests consuming foods rich in water such as “watermelon, melon or cucumber”.
Protect your accommodation and choose the right shelters
At home, Dr. Kierzek advises “Close shutters and curtains on the sun side in the morning “ And “to ventilate the night and early in the morning when it is cooler. “
In the event of the use of air conditioning, it also recommends “Limit the air conditioning gap to the maximum 5 ° C with the outside“In order to avoid thermal shocks. The fan, according to him, is”effective up to 32 ° C“, but beyond, we can”Add a damp cloth in front “ To improve the feeling of freshness. He also specifies that it is possible to “Sleep on tiled floor“To take advantage of its lower temperature.
Outside the home, the doctor invites you to go to “shopping centers, libraries, public swimming pools, urban water points” Or “shaded parks with foggers “ To enjoy cooler spaces.
Adapt your outings and protect the most vulnerable
Outings must be limited during the least hot hours: “Before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.“Recalls Dr. Kierzek.
“”Absolutely avoid the slice 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.“He underlines. When they are essential, he recommends”A wide -edged hat, sunglasses, light and loose cotton or linen clothes, a SPF 50+ sunscreen every 2 hours, a bottle of water and a fogger, as well as a damp cloth around the neck “.
For the elderly, he recommends “surveillance every 2-3h by a loved one“and to be attentive to signs like “Confusion, dizziness, nausea and dry skin“. He also recommends checking certain treatments with a professional, including” diuretics and antihypertensive “.
In children and infants, he recalls: “Never leave them alone in a car, because the temperature can become fatal in 10 minutes “.
However, remember to bathe them in lukewarm water “several times a day” and to cover them at least. The signs of alert in children are a apathy, a refusal to drink, high body temperature, which must push you to consult in an emergency.
For their part, pregnant women must observe an “absolute rest in hot hours”, with “increased hydration of 500 ml/minimum day” and “monitoring of blood pressure and edema”.
How to react in the event of a heat stroke?
Finally, the emergencyist recalls the symptoms to know from the heat stroke.
“It is a body temperature greater than 40 ° C, mental confusion, hot and dry skin, convulsions or even a loss of knowledge”.
In this case, you have to “refresh immediately and call the Samu”.
For heat -related exhaustion, characterized by “Excessive sweating, weakness, nausea, cramps, dizziness … “, The doctor advises “rest in the shade, to rehydrate and refresh yourself“.
Finally, he recalls two useful numbers: that of “heat wave info service: 0800 06 66 66 (free)” and that of Samu, by composing the 15th, in the event of a vital emergency “.