The diagnosis and emergency care of heat related illness and sunburn in athletes: A retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVE

Heat illnesses contribute to significant morbidity and occasional mortality in athletic populations. Sunburn increases the risk of various skin carcinomas. This report provides an overview of the etiology, symptomatology, risk identification, prevention, and treatment for heat related illnesses and sunburn.

CLINICAL FEATURES: Four cases are presented to illustrate the diagnosis and immediate treatment of exercise related heat illness and sunburn.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Identification of signs and symptoms combined with prompt treatment, achieved resolution in three athletes presenting with exercise related heat illness and one athlete with sunburn.

CONCLUSION

The best treatment approach is prevention. Chiropractors can be an important resource for information regarding prevention and treatment strategies. For mild to moderate heat illness, quick identification of signs and symptoms, followed by rapid cooling and re-hydration comprises treatment. For heat stroke, rapid and aggressive cooling is essential to reduce mortality. Best evidence treatment of sunburn is symptomatic relief with emollients and pain control via medications.