Warming up properly: what to do to avoid catching a cold after frost
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With the onset of the cold autumn-winter period in childhood, most of us repeatedly heard the phrase from our parents: “you will freeze, you will get sick, who will treat you.” However, is it really enough for the human body to simply freeze to “catch” the disease?
“Ukrainian Pravda. Life” together with the family doctor of the Lviv outpatient polyclinic center TMO No. 1 Lyudmila Marushchak answered this question.
In the material you will learn:
- how cold affects the body;
- will a person get sick if he is very cold;
- what to do when you have a cold so as not to get sick and what not to do;
- tips on how to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
| Photo: little_prince/Depositphotos |
How cold affects the human body
When the temperature drops outside or indoors, the human brain sends signals to our blood vessels to limit blood flow to the skin. That is why, when cooling, blood vessels narrow in order to preserve the heat of important organs, reports Medical News Today.
The narrowing of the blood vessels in the skin leads to a natural increase in blood pressure, which is a negative for people with heart disease. The frequency of urination also increases, which can cause dehydration if the lost fluid is not replaced by drinking more water.
Such changes can lead to blood clotting, which increases the risk of blood clots and forces the cardiovascular system to work harder. The cold can have a strong effect on the respiratory system, as the air irritates the airways and causes difficulty breathing, coughing and mucus production.
Read also: Why some people constantly have cold hands – doctors explain
Will a person catch a cold if he is frozen?
A cold occurs when the body’s resistance to bacteria and viruses decreases, says doctor Lyudmila Marushchak. This is especially characteristic of the autumn-winter period. It is then that the day becomes shorter, the amount of light decreases, a lot of rain falls, and the air temperature drops.
According to her, if a person in wet shoes and without gloves waits for public transport in rainy weather, there is a high probability of getting sick.
“When freezing is combined with wet weather and wind, it causes a rapid loss of heat from the body, increasing the risk of illness”the doctor explains.
Prolonged exposure to the cold and insufficiently warm clothing can also increase the risk of hypothermia.
“If the temperature at home is below 15°C, and you walk around in underwear or just very lightly dressed, then you can also catch a cold”– says Lyudmila Marushchak.
The expert notes that freezing does not always lead to a cold. If a person is young, leads a healthy lifestyle, eats right, does sports and is tough, then he has a lower chance of getting sick. However, there is a group of people who are at risk.
Who is most likely to catch a cold after freezing:
- people with chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, respiratory diseases and diabetes;
- elderly people who do not eat well or live in unheated rooms;
- people who use alcohol or some psychotropic substances and are on the street;
- tourists or those who do not have homes because they are on the street for a long time;
- babies sleeping in cold rooms.
Read also: Winter is near: how not to turn into an icicle when it’s cold at home
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| Photo: little_prince/Depositphotos |
What to do when you are already cold, so as not to get sick
When a person is already very cold outside due to cold weather, then it is very important to warm up in order to reduce the negative consequences for the body. However, the doctor emphasizes that the process of “warming up” should be gradual so that a person can adapt to the new temperature and receive fewer negative consequences.
Warm room and dry clothes
First, find a warm place to go. If possible, dress in comfortable, but warm and dry clothes.
It is necessary to insulate the limbs, especially the legs. You should also cover yourself with a blanket or warm blankets. In addition, you can warm up with hand and foot warmers. However, the heating pad should not be hot, otherwise it can cause burns.
Exercise
Try to move more and do light exercise. In this way, you will warm up the body from the inside and improve blood circulation. Remember that you can’t overexert yourself, emphasizes the family doctor.
A lot of liquid
You need to drink a warm drink, for example, one or two cups of hot tea or coffee.
What about alcohol? After all, we often see that in movies people “warm up” with a sip of brandy or cognac, and in life we have heard the advice “you need to drink to get warmer” more than once. However, Marushchak notes that this is actually a myth.
“Many people will like to warm themselves with alcoholic mulled wines in the winter, but this is strictly prohibited, because it will only harm the body. Alcohol only creates the illusion of warmth and comfort. In fact, due to the expansion vessels you only lose heat, so the risk of hypothermia increases”– explains the expert.
Friction
The family doctor advises to do a light massage of frozen hands or feet. However, you need to do it carefully so as not to injure the cells of the human skin.
“I’ve heard advice that you can rub your hands with snow, but you can’t do this under any circumstances.” – she emphasizes.
Warm water
According to Marushchak, you can get warm water, but not hot, and slowly submerge the limbs for a few minutes, and then wipe them with a soft towel. After such a procedure, you should wear dry socks on your feet.
But in no case should you get into a hot bath.
“A hot bath with hypothermia can be dangerous because it can cause the blood vessels on the surface of the skin to dilate, which can increase heat loss from the body. This can exacerbate the hypothermia itself.” – she explains.
The family doctor notes that all these methods will help to warm up in the case of ordinary hypothermia, so that it does not turn into a serious condition – hypothermia.
“That’s when it’s needed emergency medical help to save a person. I would not advise resorting to folk methods. After all, nowadays there is good evidence-based medicine and every patient has his own doctor to whom he can turn.” Marushchak adds.
Read also: Got wet in the rain? How not to get sick. Advice from the Central Bank of Ukraine
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| Photo: Lysak_Luda/Depositphotos |
Hypothermia: symptoms and risks
Hypothermia is already a dangerous pathological condition, when the body temperature drops below 35°C. Then blood circulation and the work of internal organs are disturbed, which threatens the life of a person.
Symptoms:
- Trembling;
- confusion and hallucinations;
- lack of coordination;
- slurred speech;
- pale, cold and dry skin;
- lips may turn blue or gray;
- slow breathing and pulse.
A person with hypothermia needs immediate medical attention, but the longer you wait, the more complications will arise.
Hypothermia can cause frostbite or tissue death. In severe cases of hypothermia, kidney, heart and respiratory failure occurs, and can also cause death.
Read also: 4 reasons why you may be constantly cold
Can frostbite and hypothermia be prevented?
You can avoid freezing if you follow the usual tips. For example, dress in layers:
- underwear (underwear, socks, thermal underwear);
- middle layer (sweater, jacket, etc.);
- outerwear (jacket, pants, scarf, hat, gloves).
The Ministry of Health recommends choosing clothes made of natural or special materials for the winter.
“The lower layer of clothing should wick away moisture, because a wet body loses more heat. The middle layer retains heat. The upper layer protects against external factors – rain, wind and snow. It should be made of dense windproof fabric. The more layers of clothing, the warmer it is.” – say the Ministry of Health.
Also, don’t forget a hat and a scarf, because a lot of heat is lost due to an uncovered head. Hands should also be closed, that’s why mittens are new.
Lyudmila Marushchak says that you should avoid activities during which you will sweat a lot. After all, wet clothes during low temperatures will cause more heat to be released.
“You need to dress comfortably, keep your feet warm, wear comfortable shoes so they don’t put pressure on you.” – says Lyudmila Marushchak.
Children are recommended to dress one layer warmer than an adult. If your children play outside, bring them to a warm room often to keep warm.
In addition, the expert emphasizes the importance of proper and balanced nutrition.
“At these times of the year, I advise patients to take additional vitamin D. Since it is produced under the influence of sunlight, and we cannot get enough of it with food products,” – says the family doctor.
The Ministry of Health notes that metal jewelry should not be worn during winter travel at extremely low temperatures.
“The metal cools very quickly, and its contact with the skin can lead to frostbite in certain areas or cause cold injuries,” – the ministry explains.
Read also: ARVI in a baby: what parents must know
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