Extreme Heat in the UAE: How to Safeguard Your Health During High Temperatures?

Published on: 18th September 2024
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Zainab Alhuishmawi

Featuring a desert climate, the weather in the UAE and Dubai shifts quickly from pleasant mild winters to very hot, humid, and dry summers. The air sometimes lacks moisture, leading to scorching conditions. Also, rainfall is rare, and dust storms are common. Thus, temperatures are quite high in the afternoon. The weather patterns often lead to heat stroke in people of all ages. Heat-related illnesses are rising with the rise in temperatures, every year.

Weather in the UAE and Dubai: Excessive Heat

The Dubai temperature rises rapidly from July to September, while April and May are mostly warm and hot. The winters stretch from December to March, bringing warm and cool winds for the night. Let’s discuss the fallouts of the high UAE temperature on the residents:

You may lose excessive amounts of salt and water due to sweating. This can lead to heat exhaustion and body discomfort.
If you stay outdoors for a long time in peak heat hours, then you may suffer from heatstroke, resulting in serious medical issues.
The heat wave can sweep your city, and raise the risk of sunburn, heat rashes, headaches, muscle cramps, dehydration, nosebleeds, and other health problems.

Health Risks Associated with Heat Wave

When your body overheats beyond 40°C (104°F), it can lead to heatstroke, a potentially life-threatening condition, especially common in Dubai’s intense summer heat. The arid climate in the UAE, with its extreme temperatures, can strain multiple organs, resulting in hyperthermia or other heat-related health issues. Early signs of heatstroke include delirium, balance problems, weakness, loss of consciousness, and hot, flushed skin. Heatstroke can develop rapidly, sometimes within just a few hours of exposure to high temperatures, and if untreated, can cause severe organ damage or even be fatal.

Risk factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, dehydration, blood pressure medications, and tight clothing exacerbate the dangers of heat exposure. Potential complications include brain swelling, nerve damage, kidney or liver failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Additionally, the risk of developing kidney stones and electrolyte imbalances is heightened in extreme heat. To manage these risks, treatment may include Energy Boost & Hydration IV fluids to help restore electrolyte balance and provide essential hydration.

Staying Safe During Record-High Dubai Temperature

The Dubai climate is erratic with hot and humid weather predominantly affecting its regions. It is essential to stay healthy during extreme weather conditions. Here are a few tips for wellness at home to keep you safe.

Rehydrate When Required

To avoid health problems in hot weather, rehydration is mandatory. For infants under 6 months, breastfeeding can help rehydrate. The mother should also drink a lot of water. Add rehydration salts to your water and drink the beverage regularly. Mix the salt in partly cool and partly room-temperature water for a better cooling effect. If ORS is unavailable, dissolve sugar and a little salt together in a liter of cool water.

Try to Cool Down

The weather in the UAE and Dubai makes it necessary to stay cool wherever you are. Drink ample water regularly and carry rehydration salts with bottled water and a glass, every time. If you find anyone with a severe heat-related problem, lay down the person in a shaded area. Apply first-aid kid wet towels on their neck, head, groin, and armpits, and seek medical help if required.

Wear Comfortable Clothes

In hot weather, it is better to wear a single layer of clothing, if indoors. Wrap your head, mouth, and nose with a protective layer of clothing to deter heat rashes, when going outside. Wear protective eyeglasses or sunglasses to avoid dust, heat, and sun rays from affecting the eyes.

Control the Temperature

High UAE temperatures will require the use of air-conditioning to cool the surroundings. Ensure the air coolers are serviced beforehand for those to work properly in summer. Keep ice bags handy for compression at sensitive and affected spots on the skin. Stock on wet towels and tissues to wipe sweat and cool your body. Close to curtains to keep the sun rays out.

Shower Everyday

Grab a bath every day. Taking a cool shower can prohibit heat exhaustion and stress. Also, it will make you feel rejuvenated throughout the day. Use moisturizers if you have dry skin. You may need to bathe more than once a day, especially for office-going folks and school-going children.

Regulate Body Heat

If you miss bathing somehow, misting spray and a hint of cool body splash on the skin can help control the body temperature. Dip your feet in containers with cool water. This will allow you to regulate health, and beat extreme heat conditions.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Heat Exhaustion?

Watch out for heat exhaustion symptoms such as excessive thirst, fever, sticky mouth, dry lips, excessive sweating, cramps in legs or arms, weakness, nosebleeds, dizziness, small blisters, tiredness, vomiting, and nausea. While mild to moderate symptoms can be treated at home, you may have to seek medical help in case of:

Fainting
Wet skin with no sweating but a burning feel
Too many heat rashes
Rapid breathing and heartbeat
Passing dark urine
No urination for over 8 hours
Confusion
High body temperature for more than 2 hours
Seizures
Coma, not waking up

Doctor on Call by First Response Healthcare

During extreme heat conditions in the UAE, First Response Healthcare’s doctor on call service is an invaluable resource for managing heat-related health concerns. Our experienced doctors can provide immediate, expert medical consultation directly at your home, addressing symptoms such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related conditions. This service ensures you receive prompt care without the need to endure the heat or travel to a clinic, making it easier to stay healthy and safe during record-high temperatures. With a doctor on call, you can receive tailored medical advice and treatment right at your doorstep, ensuring your well-being in challenging weather conditions.

Conclusion: Extreme Weather in the UAE and Dubai

While the Dubai temperature can be too high in summers with a lot of humidity, risks of heat stroke may accompany it. It is crucial to stay hydrated and cool to manage your body temperature. Wear the right clothing and install air-conditioning at home. Take all the measures to prevent heat exhaustion and related medical issues in advance, and stay safe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. How do you prepare your body for extreme heat?

Keep a check on daily and weekly weather in the UAE and Dubai and plan for outdoor activities accordingly. Plan for work requiring you to venture outdoors, in the evening or when the temperature is lower.

Q. What are the two ways to reduce heat stress?

Use air coolers to stay cool. Be at home during peak temperatures. Hydrate yourself regularly by drinking water and electrolyte-based drinks. Wear thin cotton clothes.

Q. What is the hottest temperature in the UAE?

The highest average temperature in the UAE exceeds 43 °C (109 °F). The hot weather increases the risk of health issues.

Q. Which month is hotter in the UAE?

The months of July and August are hotter in the UAE. The chance of a heat wave is higher in these couple of months.

References and Citations:

National Library of Medicine – Heat Related Illness

Extreme Heat in the UAE: How to Safeguard Your Health During Record-High Temperatures?

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