People urged to avoid 'cooling' mistake during 37C heatwave as it could make you hotter

People urged to avoid 'cooling' mistake during 37C heatwave as it could make you hotter Many areas across the UK will reach around 36C with London set to hit 37C today, June 24 With temperatures rising across the UK and nearing 40C, many households are relying on fans and improvised cooling methods to stay cool. However, experts have warned that one common habit could be having the opposite effect. Consumer group, Which?, says people should avoid setting their shower temperature to the coldest possible setting, as it may not cool the body as effectively as many think. It explains: "Don’t be tempted to turn the dial right round to freezing when having a shower. If your body is subjected to extreme cold, it will try to regulate its core temperature by retaining heat. "This will increase blood flow to your skin to warm it up, making you feel even hotter. Taking a cold shower might make you feel better for a short time, but your best option is using cool or lukewarm water, and then letting yourself air dry rather than towel-drying yourself. "The action of water evaporating off your skin will create a cooling effect on the surface of your skin." Bedroom mistake Experts have also highlighted an unexpected bedtime habit that may be doing more harm than good in hot weather. Rather than sleeping without clothes, they suggest opting for a specific type of nightwear to help stay cooler and more comfortable overnight. It explains: "Trying to sleep in a heatwave can be torture, and you may think the easiest way to keep cool at night is to completely strip off. "In fact, it’s best to wear some clothes, provided they are thin, loose and cotton-based. They will act as a wick for sweat, increasing the surface area for sweat to evaporate from and helping you feel cooler. "If you're a hot sleeper, it may also be worth investing in a cooling mattress." What are the signs of heat exhaustion? The NHS notes that symptoms of heat exhaustion include: - tiredness - dizziness - headache - feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) - excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy (a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown or black skin) - cramps in the arms, legs and stomach - a high temperature - being very thirsty - feeling irritable It adds: "The symptoms of heat exhaustion are often the same in adults and children. If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion they need to be cooled down and given fluids." What are the signs of heatstroke? The symptoms of heatstroke, accoridng to the NHS, include: - a very high temperature - hot skin without sweating - fast breathing and a fast heartbeat - confusion and restlessness - seizure (fit) - loss of consciousness It adds: "Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Get immediate medical help if someone has the symptoms of heatstroke."