Hotandcoldapplication 230120100704 17b9d752

COLD AND HEAT
APPLICATION
 At the end of this chapter the learners will be
able to:
• State purpose of applying heat to the body; of
applying cold to the body.
• Explain specific precaution when applying
heat, or cold
Local Application of Heat and Cold
• Heat and cold are applied to the body for local and
systemic effects
 Heat Application
• Purpose
1. To relieve pain and muscles spasm – by relaxing
muscles
- Increase blood flow to the area
2. To relieve swelling (facilitate wound healing)
- To relieve inflammation and congestion
 Heat
 Increases the action of phagocytic cells that ingest
moisture and other foreign material
 Increases the removal of waste products or infection
metabolic process
3. To relieve chilling and give comfort
• Heat can be applied in both dry and moist forms
 Dry Heat :- is applied locally, for heat conduction
-By means of a hot water bottle
 Moist heat – can be provided, through conduction
-By compression or sitz bath
Cold Application
 Purpose
• To relieve pain: cold decrease prostaglandin's,
which intensify the sensitivity of pain receptors,
and other substances at the site of injury by
inhibiting the inflammatory processes
• To reduce swelling and inflammation: by
decreasing the blood flow to the area
(vasoconstriction effect)
• Reduce raised body temperature due to fever
• Cold can be applied in moist (cold compress
18-270C) and dry form (ice pack (bag) <15 oC)
• Systemic effects of cold – extensive cold
application can increase blood pressure
• Systemic effects of Hot – produce a drop in
blood pressure – excessive peripheral
vasodilatation
Tepid Sponging
• Definition: sponging of the skin with alcohol or cool

water.
• Purpose: to lower body temperature (fever)
• Tepid (Lukewarm) water + alcohol (3 parts water: 1
part alcohol)
• The temperature of the water is 32 0C (below body
temperature) 27- 37 – alcohol evaporates at a low
temperature and therefore removes body heat rapidly
• Less frequently used – because alcohol causes skin
drying
• Heat loss is by conduction and vaporization
• Determine the patients’ temperature, PR and
RR frequently every (Q) 15 min
• Sponge each area (part) for 2-3 min changing
the wash cloth
• The sponge bath should take about 30 minutes
• Reassess v/s at the end
• Discontinue the bath if the clients becomes
pale or cyanotic or shivers, or if the PR
becomes rapid or irregular
1. Dry heat
• Temperature of hot water bottle (bag) 52 oc for
normal adults, 40.5–46oc– for debilitated
(unconscious patients).
• 40.5-46 oc for children < 2 yrs;
• Fill the bag about 2/3 full;
• Expel the remaining air and secure the top;
• Maximum effect occurs in 20-30 min;
• The application is repeated Q2 – 3 hrs to relieve
swelling compress – a moist gauze or cloth
immersed in (hot or cold) water and applied over
an area.
2. Moist Heat
1. Hot compress: a wash cloth immersed in hot
water of temperature 40-46oc and change the
site of washcloth frequently
 Complication
 Paralysis
 Numbness
 Loss of sensation – fear of burn
2. Sitz bath
 Sitz Bath (hit bath)
• It is used to sock the client's pelvic area
• The area from the mid things to the umbilicus -
increases circulation to the perineum (when the
legs are also immersed blood circulation to the
perineum or pelvic area decrease)
• Temperature of water – 40-43 oc (105-110 oF)
 Purpose:
• To relieve pain in post operative rectal condition
• Smoothen irritated skin (perineum)
• Facilitates wound healing (after episiotomy)
• To release the bladder in case of urinary retention
• If it is going to be given in the tub – fill ½ the tube
with water and add the ordered medication
• In a bowel – fill 2/3 of it with water – add the
ordered medication and dilute
Local Application of Cold and Heat
 Application of Cold
• Has systemic and local effect
• Can be applied to the body in two ways
1. Moist
2. Dry
 Purpose: (Indication)
• To reduce body temp. during high fever and hyper pyrexia or sun
stroke
• To relieve local pain
• To reduce subcutaneous bleeding e.g. in sprain and contusion
• To control bleeding e.g. epistaxis
• To relieve headache
• To provide comfort to a patient in extreme hot weather if desired
1. Moist Cold
 Cold compress
• A cloth (padded gauze) is immersed in cold water and
applied in area where we get large superficial vessels
• E.g. axilla and groin
• Change the cloth when it becomes warm
• Applied for 15-20 min
2. Dry Cold (Ice Bag)
 Ice kept in a bag
• Covered with cloth and applied on an area
• Temperature <150C
Application of Heat
 Purpose
 To relieve stasis of blood
 To increase absorption of inflammatory products
 To relieve stiffness of muscle and muscle pain
 To relieve pain and swelling of a localized
inflammation boil or carbuncle
 To increase blood circulation
 To promote suppuration
 To relieve distention and congestion
 To provide warmth to the body
 Thank you

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COLD AND HEAT

• Definition: sponging of the skin with alcohol or cool

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