Which symptom helps distinguish between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

Hot, red, and dry skin is a key symptom that helps differentiate heat stroke from heat exhaustion. In cases of heat exhaustion, individuals typically experience excessive sweating as the body attempts to cool itself down. The skin is usually cool and clammy due to this sweating response.

In contrast, heat stroke is a more severe condition where the body's thermoregulatory system fails, leading to a dangerously high body temperature without the compensation of sweating. This results in the skin becoming hot, red, and dry. Recognizing this symptom is crucial, as heat stroke requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious complications or death.

The other symptoms listed, such as excessive sweating, low blood pressure, and nausea, can be present in both conditions, but they do not serve as clear distinguishing factors between the two.