Hello,
Your husband works in 116 degree heat for 15 hours a day. He has got a lot of heat rash, intense pain and discomfort. On returning home he could hardly walk. Rehydration, rest, and removing the patient from the area of heat exposure. Your husband needs rest, rehydration and removal from the area of heat as he is suffering from
heat exhaustion. Let him take a break from work till he recovers. Keep him in a cooler area and in a air conditioned room.
Give him enough water and fluid to compensate for the electrolyte disturbances, give him nutritious home made food and monitor his blood pressure and blood glucose level. He should wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing for relief. To control rash and itching, you can give him antihistamine. You can apply antihistamine cream on the area affected to reduce discomfort. Applying ointment
Soframycin and
chlorhexidine lotion will also give relieve.
Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle contractions, typically of the calves, occurring in sweating individuals with inadequate volume replacement. Give him oral isotonic fluid replacement, oral hydration with 0.1% saline solution or with commercially available electrolyte drinks are adequate for most patients. Patients with severe symptoms may require IV rehydration.
For pain relief you can give him Combiflam or
Acetaminophen, one SOS when required. He should feel better in 6-8 hrs. In case he is showing the symptoms of
heat stroke,
heat syncope, he needs hospitalization and medical aid. Get him physically examined by a GP & treated.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician