Hypothermia is where your body temperature gets dangerously low (below 35C).
Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, cold skin, slurred speech and confusion. Babies with hypothermia may feel cold and floppy.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that needs to be treated in hospital. There are things you can do while waiting for medical help to arrive.
Causes of hypothermia include not wearing warm clothes in cold weather, falling into cold water and living in a cold house.
Read more on the NHS website.
Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, cold skin, slurred speech and confusion. Babies with hypothermia may feel cold and floppy.
Go to A&E or call 999
if you think someone has hypothermia and they have any of these:
- shivering
- pale, cold and dry skin – their skin and lips may be blue
- slurred speech
- slow breathing
- tiredness or confusion
A baby with hypothermia may be:
- cold to touch and their skin may be red
- floppy
- unusually quiet and sleepy and may refuse to feed
Read more on the NHS website.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that needs to be treated in hospital. There are things you can do while waiting for medical help to arrive.
Self-care
Do
move the person indoors or somewhere sheltered as quickly as possible
remove any wet clothing, wrap them in a blanket, sleeping bag or dry towel, making sure their head is covered
give them a warm non-alcoholic drink and some sugary food like chocolate if they're fully awake
keep them awake by talking to them until help arrives
make sure you or someone else stays with them
Don't
do not use a hot bath, hot water bottle or heat lamp to warm them up
do not rub their arms, legs, feet or hands
do not give them alcohol to drink
These will not help and could make things worse.
Medical treatments
Your heart rate will be monitored and you may be given oxygen to help you breathe.
You may also be given warm fluids straight into a vein to help your body warm up.
Treatment in intensive care may be needed if you have severe hypothermia.
Read more on the NHS website.
Causes of hypothermia include not wearing warm clothes in cold weather, falling into cold water and living in a cold house.
Read more on the NHS website.