first-aidemergencyweatherhealth
What is the difference between sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke at a splash pad?
Quick answer
Sunburn is red, painful skin from UV. Heat exhaustion is heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, and a fast pulse — get to shade, cool, and hydrate. Heat stroke is the medical emergency: hot dry skin, confusion, body temp over 103 F. Call 911, cool the body aggressively, do not give fluids if unconscious.
These three conditions are often confused but require very different responses. Sunburn shows up hours after UV exposure as red, hot, painful skin and is treated with cool compresses, aloe, and hydration. Heat exhaustion happens when the body is working hard to cool itself: heavy sweating, pale clammy skin, nausea, headache, weakness, and a pulse of 100-130. Move the child to shade, remove extra clothing, give cool water in small sips, and apply cool wet cloths. Recovery is usually 30-60 minutes. Heat stroke is life-threatening. Sweating may stop, skin becomes hot and dry or flushed, body temperature exceeds 103 F, and the child may be confused, slurred, vomiting, or unconscious. Call 911 immediately. Move to shade, strip outer clothing, drench with cool water, and fan vigorously. Do not force fluids on someone who is not fully alert. Splash pads, despite the water, do not prevent heat illness on extreme-heat days.