Brain & Nervous System Headaches Can Hot Weather Give You a Heat Headache? By Sarah Jividen, RN Sarah Jividen, RN LinkedIn Sarah Jividen, RN, BSN, is a freelance healthcare journalist and content marketing writer at Health Writing Solutions, LLC. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. Learn about our editorial process Published on March 16, 2022 Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD LinkedIn Kashif J. Piracha, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology. He has an active clinical practice at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital in Houston, Texas. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes Symptoms Treatment When to Seek Help Coping Frequently Asked Questions Headache and migraine triggers may differ from person to person, but headaches can be a symptom of heat-related disorders, such as heat exhaustion. Although heat itself doesn't cause headaches, its effects on the body can. This article explains how environmental conditions and lifestyle factors during hot weather can cause headaches, as well as how to treat them. Halfpoint / Getty Images How Hot Weather Causes Headaches Dehydration Many people look forward to the summer months, because they can engage in more activities and sports outside. But not drinking enough fluids in hot weather could leave you with a dehydration headache. When you are dehydrated, you have fewer fluids in your body tissues and brain. Your brain tissues shrink and pull away from the skull, causing nerve pain. Drinking fluids will replace the lost tissue fluids to a normal level and eliminate the cause of headache pain. Sun Exposure In some cases, sun exposure can trigger a headache or migraine. Photophobia is a term used to describe abnormal discomfort and sensitivity to light. It is a neurological symptom that involves the transmission of information between the eye and brain. The part of the eye that transmits light to the brain is different than the part of the eye that provides vision. For this reason, even a blind person can develop a photophobia-induced headache. Barometric Pressure Barometric pressure is the air pressure level within the atmosphere. Summertime thunderstorms are one common cause of barometric pressure changes. Research shows that even small decreases in atmospheric pressure can induce a migraine or headache. Hormonal Changes Hot flashes are associated with perimenopause and are caused by changes in estrogen levels. Estrogen works with a part of the brain involved in regulating body temperature. Low estrogen can increase the body's temperature to an uncomfortably hot level, causing hot flashes and night sweats. Physical Activity Headaches can be caused by physical activity when the weather is too hot, causing heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body gets too hot and cannot cool itself back down. This happens more commonly during warm and hot summer months, especially when humid. Other symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Dehydration Dizziness Muscle cramps Nausea and vomiting Heatstroke, which can be life-threatening Heat Exhaustion vs. Heatstroke: What’s the Difference? Heat Headache Symptoms Headache symptoms may include: Mild to moderate pain on both sides of the headHead pain that gets worse with activityConsistent pain that is dull but not throbbing If your heat headache symptoms come with confusion, slurred speech, weakness, or numbness, call 911. Heat Exhaustion Symptoms Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Heavy sweatingCold, clammy skinTirednessWeaknessHeadacheFaintingDizzynessNausea and vomiting If you start to experience heat exhaustion symptoms: Sip waterMove to a cooler placeTake a cool bath or place cool compresses on your bodyTake off or loosen clothing Treatment for Heat Headaches One way to help prevent heat headaches is to drink plenty of water and take breaks from hot weather activity. Once you realize you are getting a heat headache, take measures to help yourself so that symptoms don't get worse: Find a place to cool down and restDrink water for hydrationCall your healthcare provider if additional help is needed Many headaches also respond to over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking any new medicines. When to Seek Medical Attention If your symptoms don't improve after about an hour of rest and fluids, call your healthcare provider. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if: Your symptoms last an hour or longerYou develop even more severe headache painYou are vomitingYour symptoms continue to worsenYou experience a change in neurological functionYou become confused or weak When Should You Worry About a Headache? Coping With Excessive Heat Sweltering weather can be a challenge. But as much as it can be uncomfortable, sometimes high temperatures cannot be avoided entirely. If you cannot avoid heat, here are a few helpful ways to manage it: Keep a water bottle with you and drink plenty of fluids.Check the forecast to prepare for hot weather.Keep headache medicine on hand.Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothes.Stay with friends while in high heat in case someone needs help.Wear and reapply sunscreen regularly.Bring a sun umbrella.Sit in a pool or go swimming to cool off.Alter your schedule to avoid the heat. Summary Headaches can be a symptom of heat-related disorders, such as heat exhaustion. Although heat itself doesn't cause headaches, it can cause circumstances which may lead to headaches, such as dehydration. Hot weather headaches can also be caused by sun exposure, barometric pressure, and physical activity. If you have a heat headache, take measures to help yourself so that symptoms don't get worse, like finding a place to cool down and rest, as well as drink water for hydration. You can also take OTC pain medications to relieve your head pain. Call your healthcare provider if additional help is needed. If you develop extreme headache pain, a change in neurological function, or become confused, call 911 immediately. A Word From Verywell Having a heat-related headache can be a pain, but there are many things you can do to prevent and treat them. Experiment with proactive strategies to prevent getting a headache, and ask for support when you need it, especially if you will be out in hot weather for an extended period of time. If you are prone to headaches, continue to educate yourself about potential triggers and have a management plan in case one arises. You may also want to consider keeping a "headache diary" to help you identify triggers and prevent future headaches from occurring. Frequently Asked Questions What are the stages of heat illness? Heat illnesses are ailments caused by hot and humid weather. People can get a heat-related illness from physical activity in hot weather, or even just by being out in hot weather for too long. Some of the most common types of heat illness include:Heat cramps (muscle spasms)Heat rash (painful and red skin irritation)Heat exhaustionHeatstroke (a life-threatening condition when the body reaches 106 F quickly) Can you throw up from heat exhaustion? Nausea and vomiting are two of the main symptoms of heat exhaustion. Other symptoms include:Heavy sweatingCold, clammy skinTirednessWeaknessHeadacheFaintingDizziness Does heat make anxiety symptoms worse? High heat and humidity can cause anxiety and even make anxiety symptoms worse. Cortisol, a stress hormone, increases during the summer months, leading to increased anxiety in some people. 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat stress - heat related illness. National Headache Foundation. Light and headache disorders: understanding light triggers and photophobia. Okuma H, Okuma Y, Kitagawa Y. Examination of fluctuations in atmospheric pressure related to migraine. SpringerPlus. 2015;4:790. doi:10.1186/s40064-015-1592-4 Johns Hopkins Medicine. Introduction to menopause. Cleveland Clinic. Heat exhaustion. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Headache. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Warning signs and symptoms of heat related illness. Kanikowska D, Roszak M, Rutkowski R, et al. Seasonal differences in rhythmicity of salivary cortisol in healthy adults. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2019;126(3):764-770. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00972.2018 By Sarah Jividen, RN Sarah Jividen, RN, BSN, is a freelance healthcare journalist and content marketing writer at Health Writing Solutions, LLC. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit