Hot and Cold Effects<\/h1>\r\nThink back to a time when you were really hot and you started sweating and your fingers were swollen. Now think about a time when you were really cold and you started to shiver and maybe your lips turned a little blue. What you experienced are the effects of heat and cold. Heat and cold have opposite effects on body functions. Heat increases blood flow by [pb_glossary id=\"563\"]vasodilating[\/pb_glossary] blood vessels. When heat is applied to an area, the blood vessels in that area will dilate to increase blood flow. However, when cold blood flow is slowed by [pb_glossary id=\"426\"]vasoconstricting[\/pb_glossary]\u00a0blood vessels to conserve body heat. Applying a cold pack to an area will constrict blood flow in that area to reduce swelling. Figure 13.2.1 shows how an artery changes when it is vasodilated or vasoconstricted.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_408\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/430\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2022-12-12-at-6.23.50-PM.png\")
Figure 13.2.1<\/strong> Artery changes[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nHeat Applications<\/h1>\r\nHeat relieves pain, relaxes muscles, promotes healing, reduces tissue swelling, and decreases joint stiffness. When heat is applied to the skin blood vessels in the area dilate. Blood flow increases bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the surrounding tissue for healing. The vasodilation allows for excess fluid to be removed from the area faster. On observation, the skin will be red and warm to the touch (Acello & Hegner, 2021; Sorrentino, et al., 2019).<\/span>\u00a0Heat applications are also comforting. And the sensation of heat may decrease the transmission of pain signals to the brain which can relieve pain and discomfort. In addition, heat applications relax muscles and joints and this can decrease stiffness. Heat applications are used for chronic, or ongoing, conditions. These include back pain and arthritis. Heat applications may also be used only after the first two to three days following an acute, or sudden, injury (Acello & Hegner, 2021).\r\n\r\nThere are two types of heat applications: dry and moist. Dry heat applications are dry against the skin and no water touches the skin. Dry heat applications include hot packs, hot water bags, heating pads, and hot aquathermia pads. A dry application stays at the desired temperature longer. Moist heat applications are moist against the skin where the moisture or water touches the skin. Moist heat applications include hot compresses, hot soaks, and sitz baths. Moist heat applications Moist heat has greater and faster effects and are more penetrating than dry heat applications (Acello & Hegner, 2021; Sorrentino, et al., 2019).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\nComplications<\/h2>\r\nHigh temperatures can cause burns. When heat is applied for too long, blood vessels will start to constrict. Persons at risk for complications include older adults, fair-skinned persons, those with decreased sensation to heat and pain. Persons with dementia and those who have metal implants are also at risk for injury. Others at risk for complications include:\r\n\r\n \t- Loss of consciousness<\/li>\r\n \t
- Scarring of the skin<\/li>\r\n \t
- Use of some medications<\/li>\r\n \t
- Spinal cord injuries<\/li>\r\n \t
- Stroke<\/li>\r\n \t
- Diabetes<\/li>\r\n \t
- Aging<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with dementia or cognitive impairment<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with metal implants (pacemaker, joint replacement)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor temperature guidelines for hot applications, see Table 13.2.1 below.\r\n
Cold Applications<\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\nCold applications are used for acute or sudden injuries, such as treat sprains, fractures, or fevers, and are therefore useful right after an injury. Cold applications have a numbing effect, so they relieve or reduce pain. When the blood vessels vasoconstrict, less blood is able to flow to the area. This in turn, decreases bleeding and reduces swelling. Cold is applied during the first two to three days following an injury.\r\n\r\nThere are two types of cold applications: dry and moist. Dry cold applications are dry against the skin and no water touches the skin. Dry cold applications include cold packs, ice bags, and cold aquathermia pads. Moist heat applications are moist against the skin where the moisture or water touches the skin. Moist cold applications include cold compresses and cold soaks. Moist cold applications are more penetrating than dry cold applications (Acello & Hegner, 2021; Sorrentino, et al., 2019).<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nComplications<\/h2>\r\nCold temperature can cause burns, pain, blisters, and poor circulation (See Table 13.2.1.) When cold is applied for a long time, blood vessels dilate as the body tries to warm the body temperature. Persons at risk for complications include older adults, fair-skinned people, and those with decreased sensation to heat and pain. People with dementia and those who have metal implants are also at risk for injury. Others at risk for complications include:\r\n\r\n \t- Loss of consciousness<\/li>\r\n \t
- Scarring of the skin<\/li>\r\n \t
- Use of some medications<\/li>\r\n \t
- Spinal cord injuries<\/li>\r\n \t
- Stroke<\/li>\r\n \t
- Diabetes<\/li>\r\n \t
- Aging, which can cause decreased sensations due to changes in body function<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with dementia or confusion<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with metal implants (pacemaker, joint replacement)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor temperature guidelines for cold applications, see Table 13.2.1 below.\r\n
\r\nRemember:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nFollow the agency guidelines for all hot and cold applications.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Complications<\/h2>\r\nHigh temperatures can cause burns. When heat is applied for too long, blood vessels will start to constrict. Persons at risk for complications include older adults, fair-skinned persons, those with decreased sensation to heat and pain. Persons with dementia and those who have metal implants are also at risk for injury. Others at risk for complications include:\r\n\r\n \t- Loss of consciousness<\/li>\r\n \t
- Scarring of the skin<\/li>\r\n \t
- Use of some medications<\/li>\r\n \t
- Spinal cord injuries<\/li>\r\n \t
- Stroke<\/li>\r\n \t
- Diabetes<\/li>\r\n \t
- Aging<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with dementia or cognitive impairment<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with metal implants (pacemaker, joint replacement)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor temperature guidelines for hot applications, see Table 13.2.1 below.\r\n
Cold Applications<\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\nCold applications are used for acute or sudden injuries, such as treat sprains, fractures, or fevers, and are therefore useful right after an injury. Cold applications have a numbing effect, so they relieve or reduce pain. When the blood vessels vasoconstrict, less blood is able to flow to the area. This in turn, decreases bleeding and reduces swelling. Cold is applied during the first two to three days following an injury.\r\n\r\nThere are two types of cold applications: dry and moist. Dry cold applications are dry against the skin and no water touches the skin. Dry cold applications include cold packs, ice bags, and cold aquathermia pads. Moist heat applications are moist against the skin where the moisture or water touches the skin. Moist cold applications include cold compresses and cold soaks. Moist cold applications are more penetrating than dry cold applications (Acello & Hegner, 2021; Sorrentino, et al., 2019).<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nComplications<\/h2>\r\nCold temperature can cause burns, pain, blisters, and poor circulation (See Table 13.2.1.) When cold is applied for a long time, blood vessels dilate as the body tries to warm the body temperature. Persons at risk for complications include older adults, fair-skinned people, and those with decreased sensation to heat and pain. People with dementia and those who have metal implants are also at risk for injury. Others at risk for complications include:\r\n\r\n \t- Loss of consciousness<\/li>\r\n \t
- Scarring of the skin<\/li>\r\n \t
- Use of some medications<\/li>\r\n \t
- Spinal cord injuries<\/li>\r\n \t
- Stroke<\/li>\r\n \t
- Diabetes<\/li>\r\n \t
- Aging, which can cause decreased sensations due to changes in body function<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with dementia or confusion<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with metal implants (pacemaker, joint replacement)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor temperature guidelines for cold applications, see Table 13.2.1 below.\r\n
\r\nRemember:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nFollow the agency guidelines for all hot and cold applications.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Cold Applications<\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\nCold applications are used for acute or sudden injuries, such as treat sprains, fractures, or fevers, and are therefore useful right after an injury. Cold applications have a numbing effect, so they relieve or reduce pain. When the blood vessels vasoconstrict, less blood is able to flow to the area. This in turn, decreases bleeding and reduces swelling. Cold is applied during the first two to three days following an injury.\r\n\r\nThere are two types of cold applications: dry and moist. Dry cold applications are dry against the skin and no water touches the skin. Dry cold applications include cold packs, ice bags, and cold aquathermia pads. Moist heat applications are moist against the skin where the moisture or water touches the skin. Moist cold applications include cold compresses and cold soaks. Moist cold applications are more penetrating than dry cold applications (Acello & Hegner, 2021; Sorrentino, et al., 2019).<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nComplications<\/h2>\r\nCold temperature can cause burns, pain, blisters, and poor circulation (See Table 13.2.1.) When cold is applied for a long time, blood vessels dilate as the body tries to warm the body temperature. Persons at risk for complications include older adults, fair-skinned people, and those with decreased sensation to heat and pain. People with dementia and those who have metal implants are also at risk for injury. Others at risk for complications include:\r\n\r\n \t- Loss of consciousness<\/li>\r\n \t
- Scarring of the skin<\/li>\r\n \t
- Use of some medications<\/li>\r\n \t
- Spinal cord injuries<\/li>\r\n \t
- Stroke<\/li>\r\n \t
- Diabetes<\/li>\r\n \t
- Aging, which can cause decreased sensations due to changes in body function<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with dementia or confusion<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with metal implants (pacemaker, joint replacement)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor temperature guidelines for cold applications, see Table 13.2.1 below.\r\n
\r\nRemember:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nFollow the agency guidelines for all hot and cold applications.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Complications<\/h2>\r\nCold temperature can cause burns, pain, blisters, and poor circulation (See Table 13.2.1.) When cold is applied for a long time, blood vessels dilate as the body tries to warm the body temperature. Persons at risk for complications include older adults, fair-skinned people, and those with decreased sensation to heat and pain. People with dementia and those who have metal implants are also at risk for injury. Others at risk for complications include:\r\n\r\n \t- Loss of consciousness<\/li>\r\n \t
- Scarring of the skin<\/li>\r\n \t
- Use of some medications<\/li>\r\n \t
- Spinal cord injuries<\/li>\r\n \t
- Stroke<\/li>\r\n \t
- Diabetes<\/li>\r\n \t
- Aging, which can cause decreased sensations due to changes in body function<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with dementia or confusion<\/li>\r\n \t
- Clients with metal implants (pacemaker, joint replacement)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor temperature guidelines for cold applications, see Table 13.2.1 below.\r\n
\r\nRemember:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nFollow the agency guidelines for all hot and cold applications.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Remember:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nFollow the agency guidelines for all hot and cold applications.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/430\/2024\/09\/Aquatermic-pad-300x201.png\")
Figure 13.2.2<\/strong> Aqua K-pad[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/430\/2024\/09\/Ice_pack.jpg\")
Figure 13.2.3<\/strong> Cold pack[\/caption]\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/430\/2024\/09\/pexels-engin-akyurt-5624170-scaled-1.jpg\")
Figure 13.2.4<\/strong> Cold compress[\/caption]\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/430\/2024\/09\/Cold_Hot_Pack-300x225.jpg\")
Figure 13.2.5<\/strong> Reusable cold and hot compress[\/caption]\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/430\/2024\/09\/Warm_compress-300x169.jpg\")
Figure 13.2.6<\/strong> Warm compress for eyes[\/caption]\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/430\/2024\/09\/Foot_Soaking_at_a_spa-scaled-1.jpg\")
Figure 13.2.8<\/strong> Hot soak[\/caption]\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/430\/2024\/09\/Sitz-Bath-300x262.jpg\")
Figure 13.2.9<\/strong> Sitz bath[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n![Cold Hot Pack<\/a> by Mamun2a, , via Wikimedia Commons, is licensed under a](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Cold_Hot_Pack.jpg\"){kind=link}
![Warm Compress<\/a> by Neo139, via Wikimedia Commons, is licensed under a](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Warm_compress.jpg\"){kind=link}
![Foot Soaking at a spa<\/a> by Kolobetsoo, via Wikimedia Commons, is licensed under a](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Foot_Soaking_at_a_spa.jpg\"){kind=link}