Health - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 1074

» nausea or vomiting
» sweaty skin
» fast, weak pulse
» normal or slightly elevated body temperature.
Recommended treatment:
» getting out of the heat and/or sun
» fanning or applying cool wet cloths to the skin
» lying flat with legs raised and rehydrating with water containing a quarter of a teaspoon of salt per litre.
HEATSTROKE
Heatstroke is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms come on suddenly and include:
» weakness
» nausea
» body hot and dry; body temperature more than 41°C
» dizziness, confusion, loss of coordination, seizures, and eventually collapse and loss of consciousness.
Treatment:
» Seek medical help and commence cooling by getting out of the heat, removing clothes, fanning and apply-
ing cool, wet cloths or ice to body, especially to the groin and armpits.
PRICKLY HEAT
This is a common skin rash in the tropics, caused by sweat being trapped under the skin. The result is an
itchy rash of tiny lumps.
Treatment:
» Move out of the heat and into an air-conditioned area for a few hours.
» Take cool showers.
» Use locally bought prickly heat powder.
» Creams and ointments clog the skin so they should be avoided.
Insect Bites & Stings
Bedbugs Don't carry disease but their bites are very itchy. Live in the cracks of furniture and walls and then
migrate to the bed at night to feed on you. Treat the itch with an antihistamine.