How to Drop Your Core Temperature
Drink cool fluids., Eat crushed ice., Take a cold shower or ice bath., Place ice packs on your body., Relax in an air conditioned environment., Sit in front of a fan., Take fever-reducing medications.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Drink cool fluids.
Drinking plenty of cool fluids, up to 2 to 3 liters (0.5 to
0.8 US gal) at a time, is a good way to lower your core temperature quickly and safely.Drinking adequate amounts of water can prevent dehydration, which is important in hot environments and during physically-demanding activities.Sugary drinks and popsicles are not as good as pure water, because sugary drinks are not adequately absorbed by the body and can lead to further dehydration. -
Step 2: Eat crushed ice.
Studies suggest that ingesting crushed ice can be an effective way to quickly and easily cool the body.
Crushed ice will also help keep the body hydrated., Doctors generally agree that cooling the skin is the most effective method of lowering the body's temperature, especially when the person is at risk of heat stroke.
Taking a cold shower or soaking in an ice bath can be particularly effective at cooling the skin quickly, particularly in high-humidity environments in which the body is no longer able to adequately sweat.Allow cold water to run over the scalp, as this is the site of a confluence of blood vessels.
Cooling the scalp can quickly cool the rest of the body., Certain areas of the body emit more sweat to aid in cooling down your core temperature.
These areas, called hot spots, include the neck, armpits, back, and groin.
Positioning ice packs on these crucial areas can help cool you down and lower your core temperature., Experts suggest that air conditioning is one of the biggest factors in preventing heat stroke and heat-related deaths.If you do not have an air conditioner in your home, try staying with a friend or relative during hot or humid spells, or contact your local health department to find an air-conditioned shelter near you., Whenever a liquid, in this case sweat, evaporates off the body, the hottest molecules of liquid evaporate the quickest.
Since the air temperature is generally cooler than your skin's temperature, sitting in the direct path of a fan’s air while sweating can help drop your body's temperature.If you are not sweating enough to cool your body down due to age or health problems, you can try misting your body with cool water while sitting in front of a fan.
Just fill up a spray bottle from the faucet and mist your body as needed while the fan blows in front of you., Antipyretic (temperature reducing) medications are a safe and easy way to lower your body temperature in case of a fever.
These medications work by inhibiting your body's production of cyclooxygenase and lowering your body's levels of prostaglandin E2.
Without the help of an antipyretic, these substances cause the cells in the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that regulates temperature) to fire at a rapid rate, increasing the body’s temperature.Examples of these medications include acetaminophen, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.Aspirin is not recommended for children and teenagers suffering from viral illnesses (including the flu or chickenpox), as it can lead to the development of Reye's Syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease that damages the brain and liver.The dosage of these medications varies depending on your age.
Check the recommended dosage on the label and do not exceed the recommended daily dosage.
Consult with your physician for proper dosages and recommendations on over-the-counter medications. -
Step 3: Take a cold shower or ice bath.
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Step 4: Place ice packs on your body.
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Step 5: Relax in an air conditioned environment.
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Step 6: Sit in front of a fan.
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Step 7: Take fever-reducing medications.
Detailed Guide
Drinking plenty of cool fluids, up to 2 to 3 liters (0.5 to
0.8 US gal) at a time, is a good way to lower your core temperature quickly and safely.Drinking adequate amounts of water can prevent dehydration, which is important in hot environments and during physically-demanding activities.Sugary drinks and popsicles are not as good as pure water, because sugary drinks are not adequately absorbed by the body and can lead to further dehydration.
Studies suggest that ingesting crushed ice can be an effective way to quickly and easily cool the body.
Crushed ice will also help keep the body hydrated., Doctors generally agree that cooling the skin is the most effective method of lowering the body's temperature, especially when the person is at risk of heat stroke.
Taking a cold shower or soaking in an ice bath can be particularly effective at cooling the skin quickly, particularly in high-humidity environments in which the body is no longer able to adequately sweat.Allow cold water to run over the scalp, as this is the site of a confluence of blood vessels.
Cooling the scalp can quickly cool the rest of the body., Certain areas of the body emit more sweat to aid in cooling down your core temperature.
These areas, called hot spots, include the neck, armpits, back, and groin.
Positioning ice packs on these crucial areas can help cool you down and lower your core temperature., Experts suggest that air conditioning is one of the biggest factors in preventing heat stroke and heat-related deaths.If you do not have an air conditioner in your home, try staying with a friend or relative during hot or humid spells, or contact your local health department to find an air-conditioned shelter near you., Whenever a liquid, in this case sweat, evaporates off the body, the hottest molecules of liquid evaporate the quickest.
Since the air temperature is generally cooler than your skin's temperature, sitting in the direct path of a fan’s air while sweating can help drop your body's temperature.If you are not sweating enough to cool your body down due to age or health problems, you can try misting your body with cool water while sitting in front of a fan.
Just fill up a spray bottle from the faucet and mist your body as needed while the fan blows in front of you., Antipyretic (temperature reducing) medications are a safe and easy way to lower your body temperature in case of a fever.
These medications work by inhibiting your body's production of cyclooxygenase and lowering your body's levels of prostaglandin E2.
Without the help of an antipyretic, these substances cause the cells in the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that regulates temperature) to fire at a rapid rate, increasing the body’s temperature.Examples of these medications include acetaminophen, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.Aspirin is not recommended for children and teenagers suffering from viral illnesses (including the flu or chickenpox), as it can lead to the development of Reye's Syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease that damages the brain and liver.The dosage of these medications varies depending on your age.
Check the recommended dosage on the label and do not exceed the recommended daily dosage.
Consult with your physician for proper dosages and recommendations on over-the-counter medications.
About the Author
Megan Campbell
A passionate writer with expertise in lifestyle topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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