What symptom is a characteristic of heat stroke?

Hot, dry skin is a hallmark symptom of heat stroke. This occurs because, during heat stroke, the body's temperature regulation mechanisms fail due to excessive heat exposure or strenuous physical activity in hot conditions. The body can no longer effectively sweat to cool itself, leading to an elevated core temperature, often exceeding 104°F (40°C). As a result, the skin often becomes hot to the touch and dries out, as sweating significantly diminishes or ceases altogether.

In contrast, moist, cool skin is typically associated with heat exhaustion, where sweating is still occurring but the body is struggling to cope with heat. Normal body temperature would not indicate heat stroke, as the condition is characterized by dangerously high temperatures. Mild cramping can precede more severe conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke but is not a definitive symptom of heat stroke itself.