Ways To Treat Hypothermia

Use Warm And Dry Compresses

In treating patients who have any stage of hypothermia, compresses must be used with caution. Caregivers should use warm and dry compresses, and they can only be applied to certain areas of the body. If a standard compress is not available, a towel warmed in the dryer or a plastic water bottle filled with warm water will work. A compress should only be applied to the neck, groin, or chest wall for patients with hypothermia. Using a warm compress on the arms, legs, or other areas could cause cold blood to move back toward the brain, lungs, or heart, which could lower the person's body temperature even more. For hypothermia patients at the hospital, staff may use catheters to administer warm saline into a patient's abdominal cavity for rewarming purposes.