HOT APPLICATIONS

 Hot application-

  • Hot application is the application of a hot agent, warmer than skin either in a moist or dry form on the surface of the body.
  • Hot application is the application of a hot agent than skin either in a moist or dry form, on the surface of the body to relieve pain & congestion.

Purpose-

  • To decrease pain.
  • To promote circulation.
  • To provide comfort.
  • To relax the muscles. 
  • To promote suppuration.
  • To promote the healing.
  • To soften the exudates.
  • To relieve deep congestion.
  • To stimulate peristalsis.
  • To provide warmth.

Physiological Responses-

  • Promote vasodilation.
  • Increases tissue metabolism.
  • Decreases blood viscosity.
  • Increases capillary perme-ability.
  • Increased oxygen consumption.

Therapeutic Benefits-

  • Improve blood flow.
  • Heat decrease pain.
  • Heat decrease muscle tone.
  • Heat promote healing.
  • Facilitates removal of waste and toxins.
  • Heat promote suppuration.
  • Heat relieve deep congestion.
  • Heat softens the exudates.
  • Heat provides warmth.
  • Heat stimulate peristalsis.

Indication

  • Pain
  • Fatigue
  • Swelling
  • Muscle spasm
  • Fatigue, sleep disturbance
  • Stroke 

Contraindications

  • Malignancies 
  • Acutely inflammed areas
  • Open wounds
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Impaired kidney
  • Paralysis
  • Headache
  • High temperature

Complications

  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Burn
  • Maceration
  • Edema
  • Pallor
  • Hyperthermia

Principles

  • Heat causes dilation of blood vessels and increases the blood supply to the area.
  • Heat stimulates metabolism and the growth of the new cells and tissues
  • The end organs of the sensory nerves in the skin convey the sensation of heat. the sensations are interpreted in the brain
  • Water is a good conductor of heat.
  • The flow of heat is from the hotter area to the less hot area.
  • Presence of stream increases the temperature of the hot applications.
  • The temperature tolerance varies with individuals and according to the site and area covered.
  • Friction produces heat.

Classifications of Hot Applications-

A. Local Hot Applications

  • Dry Heat- 
  1. Hot water bottles
  2. Chemical heating bottles
  3. Infrared rays
  4. Ultraviolet rays
  5. Short wave diathermy
  6. Heating lamps
  7. Electric cradles
  8. Electric heating pads.
  • Moist  Heat
  1. Warm soaks
  2. Hot Fomentations
  3. Poultices
  4. Stupes
  5. Paraffin baths
  6. Sitz bath
  7. Aquathermia pad

B. General  Hot Application

  • Dry Heat
  1. Sun Bath
  2. Electric Cradles
  3. Blanket bed
  • Moist  Heat
  1. Steam bath
  2. Hot Packs
  3. Whirlpool bath

General Instructions 

  • Assess the condition of client.
  • Continuous application of hot is detrimental to the health of tissue.
  • Expose the client only a safe temperature.
  • Never ignore the complaint of client.
  • Hot application must be very carefully used when the client is unconscious.
  • Any sign of complication should be recognize early . The procedure stopped immediately & it should be reported to the head nurse & Doctor.
  • During the hot application, protect the client from getting chills.

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