Heat and Cold Application

HOT AND COLD APPLICATION
Prepared by Mrs Bemina JA

Assistant Professor
ESIC college of nursing
Kalaburagi
Hot applications
 Hot application is the application of hot agent, warmer than skin either in a
moist or dry form on the surface of the body.
PURPOSE
 Heat decreases pain
 To provide comfort
 To promote circulation
 To promote suppuration
 To relax the muscles
 To promote healing
 To relieve deep congestion
 To soften the exudates
 To stimulate peristalsis
 To counteract sudden drop in temperature
 To decrease joint stiffness
 To relieve bladder distention

Cold application
 Cold application is the application of cold agent, cooler than
skin either in a moist or dry form on the surface of the body.
 PURPOSE
 Cold relieves pain
 To prevent gangrene
 To prevent inflammation
 To prevent edema
 To arrest bleeding
 To decrease the elevated baby temperature
 To anesthetize an area
 To decrease metabolic rate of the body
 To provide comfort
Cold application
Therapeutic Uses of Local Hot Applications
 Heat decreases pain
 Heat decreases muscle tone
 Heat promotes healing
 Heat promotes suppuration
 Heat relieves deep suppuration
 Heat provides warmth
 Heat stimulates peristalsis
Therapeutic Uses of Local Cold Applications
 Cold relieves pain

 Prevents gangrene
 Prevents edema and reduce inflammation
 Controls hemorrhages
 Checks the growth of bacteria
 Reduce the body temperature
 Cold anaesthetize an area
Principles of Hot and Cold Applications
1.Water is good conductor of heat.

2. Air is poor conductor of heat.
3. Heat always flows from hotter area to the less hot area.
4. Prolong exposure to moisture increases the skin
susceptibility to maceration and skin breakdown,
reducing the protection of the intact skin.
5. Moisture left on the skin cause rapid cooling due to
evaporation of the moisture.
6. Presence of steam increases the temperature of the hot
application

7. Oil acts as the insulator and delays the transmission of the heat.
8.Woolen materials absorb moisture slowly, but hold the moisture longer
and cold off less quickly than the cotton materials.
9.When immersed in water the body becomes buoyant therefore the

exercises are performed under water with less effort.
10. The temperature tolerance varies with individuals and according to

the site and area covered.
11. The end organs of the sensory nerves of the skin convey the sensation
of cold, heat pain and pressure. The sensation is interpreted in the brain.
12. Friction produces heat.

Contraindications of Hot Applications
 Heat is not used in malignancies

 Heat is not used in patients with heart, kidney and lung
diseases
 Should not used in acute inflamed areas.
 Should not be applied on patients with paralysis.
 Should not be applied on open wounds
 Should not be applied when there is an edema associated
with venous or lymphatic diseases.

 Should not be applied on patients with metabolic disorders.
 Should not be applied on very young and very old patients.
 Should not be applied on clients with high temperature.

Contraindications of Cold Applications
 Cold should not be applied on clients who are in the

stage of shock and collapse
 Cold should not be applied when there is edema.
 Cold should not be applied on clients with circulatory
disorders.
 Cold should not be applied on patients with decreased
sensation
 Patients with shivering and very low temperature,
 Cold should not be applied when there is infected
wound.
Complications
General Instructions
 Asses the condition the clients before and after the hot
and cold applications.
 Maintain the correct temperature for the entire
duration of the application

 Expose the client only to the safe temperature.
 Do not allow the clients to adjust the temperature
control of appliance such as short wave diathermy,

electric heating pads etc.
 Never ignore the complaints of clients however small
they appear to be.

 Always make sure that the client is in position to
remove the application

 The client must have a calling signal within reach
 Never leave a client alone even for a short period that
cannot move from the appliances.

 A thin layer of petroleum jelly or oil should be
applied to the skin prior the application of moist heat

application.
 Do not use electrical appliances near to open oxygen.
A small spark may cause explosion.

 Do not handle electrical appliances with the wet
hands.
 Hot and cold applications must be very carefully used
when the clients is unconscious, anaesthetized or
otherwise unable to respond pain.
 Any signs of complications should be recognized early,
the procedure should be stopped immediately.

 After the procedure, dry the part gently by patting and
not by rubbing to remove the moisture.

 In hyperpyrexia, the temperature of the body should be
brought down gradually and steadily, sudden cooling is

dangerous to the client.
Description Temperature Application
 Very Cold Below 15 C
 Ice bag Cold 15 -18 C
 Cold packs Cool 18 -27 C
 Cold Compresses Tepid 27 -37 C
 Alcohol sponge bath Warm 37 -40 C
 Warm Bath Hot 40 -46 C
 Hot soak,
 Hot Compresses
 Very Hot Above 46 C
 Hot water bag for Adult
Precautions in the use of heat and cold applications
1.Neurosensory impairment:
2.Impaired mental status: Clients who are confused or unconscious

need to be monitored and assessed frequently to ensure safety.
3.Impaired circulation: Clients with cardiovascular and peripheral

vascular problems or diabetes
4.Skin and tissue integrity (open wounds, broken skin, scar formation,
edema):
Subcutaneous tissues are more sensitive to temperature variations
than are superficial tissues.
(e.g., cold can decrease blood flow to an open wound, thereby
inhibiting healing).

Heat and Cold Application

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HOT AND COLD APPLICATION

Prepared by Mrs Bemina JA

 To relax the muscles

 To relieve deep congestion

 To soften the exudates

 To counteract sudden drop in temperature

 To decrease joint stiffness

 To relieve bladder distention

 Cold relieves pain

1.Water is good conductor of heat.

9.When immersed in water the body becomes buoyant therefore the

10. The temperature tolerance varies with individuals and according to

12. Friction produces heat.

 Heat is not used in malignancies

 Should not be applied on patients with paralysis.

 Should not be applied on open wounds

 Should not be applied when there is an edema associated

with venous or lymphatic diseases.

 Should not be applied on very young and very old patients.

 Should not be applied on clients with high temperature.

 Cold should not be applied on clients who are in the

duration of the application

control of appliance such as short wave diathermy,

they appear to be.

remove the application

cannot move from the appliances.

applied to the skin prior the application of moist heat

A small spark may cause explosion.

the procedure should be stopped immediately.

not by rubbing to remove the moisture.

brought down gradually and steadily, sudden cooling is

2.Impaired mental status: Clients who are confused or unconscious

3.Impaired circulation: Clients with cardiovascular and peripheral

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