On the face of things, a hot waffle iron wouldn't seem to have all that much in common with a block of ice. But the two objects share the same capacity to inflict pain. Extreme heat and extreme cold are both able to deliver a nasty blow to human skin, and it turns out that the brain monitors these thermal extremes in similar ways.
We often think of the skin — and the nerves embedded within it — as being primarily responsible for the sense of touch, but what biologists refer to as "somatosensation" actually encompasses a broad range of senses.
Of course there's touch itself, or the recognition of mechanical stimuli by the skin, but there's also proprioception, or the ability to sense the body's orientation and position, and nociception, which is the body's ability to detect noxious stimuli.
Feeling pain is the body's response to nociception. Our reaction to cold is all down to a one particular protein in our body Credit: iStock. Whether the painful stimulus is mechanical, chemical, or thermal, nociception motivates us to try escaping from it. Thrust your hand into a fire, and the resulting sensation of burning triggers your body to remove your hand as rapidly as possible. It might feel unpleasant, but pain is actually proof that your body is working hard to keep you safe.
If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks. If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. Home Treatment Most minor cold injuries will heal on their own, and home treatment is usually all that is needed to relieve your symptoms and promote healing.
If you have hypothermia , try immediate first aid measures. Stay calm, find shelter, change to dry clothes, keep moving, and drink warm fluids to prevent further heat loss and slowly rewarm yourself. If small areas of your body ears, face, nose, fingers, toes are really cold or frozen, try home treatment first aid to warm these areas and prevent further injury to skin. Warm small areas by blowing warm air on them, tucking them inside your clothing, or putting them in warm water.
Medicine you can buy without a prescription Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain: Acetaminophen , such as Tylenol Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs : Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn Aspirin also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug , such as Bayer or Bufferin Talk to your child's doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Safety tips Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it.
If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to. Symptoms to watch for during home treatment Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment: Symptoms of a skin infection develop, such as redness, swelling, or pus.
Blisters develop after you begin home treatment. Symptoms have not gotten better or have gotten worse after 1 hour of rewarming treatment. Symptoms become more severe or frequent. Prevention Many cold injuries can be prevented by protecting yourself when you are outdoors in cold weather.
General tips Bring an emergency kit if you are going into the backcountry so you are prepared for cold, wet, or windy weather conditions that might arise. Head for shelter that will protect you from wind and rain if you get wet or cold. Avoid doing too much activity and sweating. Sweating increases heat loss through evaporation, so you will feel cold.
Avoid touching metal, especially with wet hands, because it will make you feel colder and may cause frostbite. Nutrition tips Eat plenty of food to help maintain your body heat. Carry high-calorie foods, such as candy bars and trail mix, when going out in cold weather. Drink plenty of water. Carry extra water with you and drink it hourly. Your urine should be clear, not yellow or orange. If you are not urinating every 2 to 3 hours, you probably are not drinking enough fluids.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol: Interferes with your body's ability to regulate body temperature. Affects judgment. For example, a person may not put on more clothing when it is needed if his or her judgment is changed by alcohol.
Can cause blood vessels in your skin to dilate. This increases heat loss. Reduces your ability to sense cold because it depresses the nervous system. Do not use caffeine and do not smoke while in the cold. Clothing tips Wear proper clothing and shoes. Keep extra protective clothing and blankets in your car in case of a breakdown in an isolated area. Know the different ways in which the body loses heat so you can protect yourself from cold exposure.
Keep your hands and feet dry. Wear mittens instead of gloves. Wear socks that retain warmth and keep moisture away from your skin. Protect your eyes from cold and wind by wearing glasses or goggles if you are planning outdoor activities.
Prevention measures for children Children may not be aware of cold temperatures. Parents need to understand the ways in which the body loses heat and: Limit the amount of time a child is out in cold, wet, or windy weather.
Dress children appropriately for the weather conditions. Remember C-O-L-D : Cover your child's head, neck, and face as much as possible since a lot of heat loss can occur in these areas. These areas are also at risk for frostnip or frostbite. Apply lip protection.
Overexertion being too active can cause your child to sweat and chill more quickly. Sweating causes clothing to become damp and increases heat loss. Layers of clothing will keep your child warm and protect your child best against wind and cold conditions. Dry is key in preventing cold injury. Menopause , as you likely know, can cause hot flashes—a brief, intense warmth that causes the heart to race and the body to sweat.
For some women, menopausal hot flashes can last as long as a decade. Hyperthyroidism , when your thyroid gland produces too many hormones, can accelerate your body's metabolism and make you feel hot all the time.
Certain tumors that secrete hormones or adrenaline can also cause the feeling of being hot all the time. Your diet might also cause a difference in how hot or cold you feel. Your level of exercise could function the same way. If you exercise a lot and your body is constantly burning calories, you may feel cold. Home Archives About Contact.
Media Player Error Update your browser or Flash plugin. Kids don't try this at home! Become an Indiana Public Media supporter.
0コメント