Heat and Cold Applications

• Heat and cold applications


  • Promote healing and comfort
  • Reduce tissue swelling
  • Heat and cold have opposite effects on body function
  • The risks are great
• Before applying heat and cold

  1. Ensure your state allows you to perform the procedure

  2. Ensure the procedure is in your job description

  3. Ensure you have the necessary training

  4. Ensure you know how to use the equipment

  5. Review the procedure with a nurse

  6. Ensure a nurse is available to answer questions and supervise you
• Heat


  • Relieves pain
  • Relaxes muscles
  • Promotes healing
  • Reduces tissue swelling
  • Decreases joint stiffness
• Effects of applying heat to the skin

  1. Blood vessels in the area dilate (expand; open wider)

  2. Blood flow increases

  3. Tissues have more oxygen and nutrients for healing

  4. Excess fluid is removed from the area faster

  5. The skin is red and warm
• Persons at risk for complications from heat


  • Older and fair-skinned persons
  • Persons with problems sensing heat and pain
  • Persons with metal implants
  • Pregnant women
• Moist heat application


  • Water is in contact with the skin, which conducts heat
  • There are greater and faster effects than with dry heat
  • Heat penetrates deeper
  • To prevent injury, moist heat applications have lower temperatures than dry heat applications
• Dry heat applications


  • Water is not in contact with the skin
  • The application stays at the desired temperature longer
  • Dry heat does not penetrate as deeply as moist heat
  • Dry heat needs higher temperatures to achieve the desired effect
  • Burns are a risk
• Dry heat applications


  • Some hot packs
  • Aquathermia pad (Aqua-K, K-Pad)
• Cold applications


  • Treat sprains and fractures
  • Reduce pain, prevent swelling, and decrease circulation and bleeding
  • Cool the body when fever is present
  • Cold has the opposite effect of heat
• Effects of applying cold to the skin

  Blood vessels constrict
• Cold applications are useful right after an injury
• Persons at risk for complications from cold

  • Older and fair-skinned persons
  • Persons with sensory impairments
• Moist cold applications


  • Penetrate deeper than dry ones
  • Are warmer than dry applications
• Moist cold applications


  • Cold compress
• Protect the person from injury during heat and cold applications
• Hyperthermia


  • A body temperature that is much higher than the person's normal range (greater than 103°F)
  • Causes include hot weather, illness, dehydration, and not being able to perspire
  • Lowering the person's body temperature is necessary
• Treating hyperthermia


  1. Doctor orders ice packs applied to the head, neck, underarms, and groin

  2. Cooling blankets are sometimes used alone or with ice packs
• Hypothermia


  • A very low body temperature (less than 95°F)
  • Cold weather is a common cause
  • The person is warmed to prevent death
  • Treatment may include a warming blanket
  • Vital signs are checked often to prevent rapid or excess warming