What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that occurs when the body loses too much water and salt, typically through excessive sweating due to high temperatures. Recognizing the symptoms is crucial for prompt treatment.

The option indicating cool, pale, and sweaty skin is accurate because individuals experiencing heat exhaustion often have their skin become cool, moist, and pale as the body tries to regulate its temperature. The sweating is a response to overheating, which the body attempts to mitigate by releasing moisture from the skin. This symptom is a hallmark of heat exhaustion and can help differentiate it from more severe heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke.

The other options present characteristics that would not typically be associated with heat exhaustion. Warm, red, and dry skin generally points to heat stroke rather than exhaustion, where the body's cooling mechanisms fail altogether. Cold and clammy skin can be seen in shock or other medical emergencies but does not fit the typical presentation of heat exhaustion. Dark and dry skin does not align with the physiological reactions of the body under the stress of heat and dehydration. Understanding these symptoms helps in effectively identifying and managing heat-related illnesses.