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Heatstroke Prevention: Acclimating to the Heat - Topic Overview

Acclimation helps you remain active in a hot environment with less risk of a heat-related illness. You can acclimate yourself to a hot environment by gradually increasing the amount of time you exercise in the heat each day. Do this over 8 to 14 days. Adults usually need daily exercise periods that last 1 to 2 hours to become acclimated. Children need 10 to 14 days to acclimate.

You can also start acclimating while in cooler environments by wearing more clothing when exercising. This will raise the body temperature, which helps the body start sweating.

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Treating Cuts and Bleeding in Children

Your child is bleeding heavily. The wound is deep. The edges of the wound are gaping. The wound is spurting blood. You can't stop the bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure. An object has punctured the skin and is still in the body.

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Acclimation helps you sweat for a longer time at a lower body temperature. Although this increases the amount you sweat, it decreases the amount of salt you lose in sweat or urine.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 19, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.