Hypothermia

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Exercise - dress appropriately

Skin layers

Low body temperature; Cold exposure

Before you spend time outside in the cold, DO NOT drink alcohol or smoke. Drink plenty of fluid and get adequate food and rest.

Wear proper clothing in cold temperatures to protect your body. These include:

• Mittens (not gloves)
• Wind-proof, water-resistant, many-layered clothing
• Two pairs of socks (cotton next to skin, then wool)
• Scarf and hat that cover the ears (to avoid major heat loss through the top of your head)

Avoid:

• Extremely cold temperature, especially with high winds
• Wet clothes
• Poor circulation, which is more likely from age, tight clothing or boots, cramped positions, fatigue, certain medications, smoking, alcohol, and diseases that affect the blood vessels (such as diabetes)

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: London: Mosby; 2002:1979-1996.

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

Ford MD, ed. Clinical Toxicology. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2001:244-247.

Review Date: 01/16/2007
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.