What is a common symptom of heat stress?

A common symptom of heat stress is a lack of sweat. This occurs because the body's cooling mechanism becomes overwhelmed due to extreme heat conditions. When a person experiences heat stress, especially if it progresses to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, the body's ability to sweat can diminish as the sweat glands become dysfunctional, leading to a condition known as anhidrosis. This is a critical signal that the body is unable to cool itself, potentially leading to serious health risks if not addressed.

Other symptoms of heat stress can include dizziness, excessive fatigue, and excessive sweating, which are usually symptoms associated with the body's attempt to regulate temperature. However, the hallmark of a severe heat stress condition is often a lack of perspiration, indicating that the body has entered a state of stress and cannot respond effectively to the heat. This makes recognizing this symptom particularly important for intervention and prevention measures.