What is a heating pad, even preschool children know. From time immemorial, heating pads have served us, if not faithfully, then as an excellent tool for the prevention of diseases and, of course, for warming. Now science has moved forward, and from a simple invention, great minds have made an indispensable tool that can work not on warm water, but on electricity. Let's find out what a unique invention is and what algorithm for using a heating pad exists.
What is a heating pad?
Hot-water bottle is an excellent means for warming a person. This device is a flexible container in which there is a cavity. Initially, hot water had to be poured into this cavity, after which the container was tightly sealed with a lid so that the liquid could not spill. It's simple: one simple procedure and a hot heating pad will warm you and your bed for a long time. As a rule, a familiar heating pad resembles in appearance a flat bag that can be slightly bent. However, the history of the heating pad began long before the appearance of rubber products, and such a device looked like a large frying pan.
Appearance story
The main reason why a person created a heating pad is an attempt to keep warm. If you plunge into antiquity, you can see how people suffered from harsh cold days and nights, especially northerners. People were warmed up with everything they could: they extracted and drowned fat, used animal skins, set up stoves and heated them. In those days, all available means were used.
To maintain warmth, a man resorted to radical measures that now seem absurd. For example, in order to keep warm in a hut or room, people heated stones, and then laid them out in different parts of their home. And the villagers, to warm their feet, often heated the uncleaned sunflower seed. Carry out an experiment and you will find out that even 200 grams of seeds from the oven can retain heat for several hours.
If you move away from the primitive methods of heat production, you can see how metal containers began to appear in human life, which heated up. Before going to bed, such a cup could be put in bed. Then rubber heating pads began to appear, and later electric ones. Now there are four types of heaters that successfully fulfill their sole purpose. Let's find out what are the indications and contraindications in the use of a heating pad.
Indications for use
Before you know the algorithm for using a heating pad, you need to find out in what situations it is allowed to use a heating device. So, it can be used in such cases:
- To warm various parts of the body. The hot-water bottle is ideal after freezing, as well as for warming the limbs. The invention is used to warm the body during sleep, especially in the cold season. Hot-water bottles are actively used not only in everyday life. Often, a warming agent is used by people who work on the street in harsh conditions. For example, fishermen or builders.
- Hot-water bottles are effective for the prevention of colds. Often, the device is used instead of the usual mustard plasters.
- Warmers are prescribed for orthopedic purposes. For example, the device is useful for radiculitis.
- The warming effect helps to reduce the pain threshold, so girls still use a heating pad during menstruation.
- Hot-water bottle helps to relax tense muscles and increase blood flow, which is especially useful for athletes who exhaust themselves with daily training.
Contraindications
It is strictly forbidden to use a heating pad in acute inflammatory processes. Exposure to heat on damaged parts of the body or organs can cause irreversible effects! Hot water bottle can not be used:
- with internal bleeding;
- at high body temperature;
- with open wounds or with infection of wounds;
- with bruises (it is not recommended to use the first 24 hours);
- with malignant tumors and neoplasms.
How to apply
There is a certain algorithm for using a heating pad. Violating it is not recommended, otherwise you may encounter complications and new problems. Let's look at the exact algorithm for the preparation and use of a rubber heating pad:
- Preparation for the procedure. For this you will need: a rubber heating pad with a cork, warm water (not higher than 60 degrees Celsius), a clean towel.
- Using the finished heating pad. Heat the water and then pour it into the cavity of the heating pad. Thoroughly plug the invention with a stopper. The following items are included in the heating pad application algorithm: make sure that there are no wet traces on the heating pad, then wrap the device in a clean towel. Attach a warming device to the desired part of the body, wait until the water in the cavity cools down. It is allowed to change the water to warmer when cooling. If you change the water, you must take a 15-minute break.
- The end of the procedure. Remove the towel, uncork the heating device and pour out water. At the end of the procedure, it is necessary to inspect the heated area for the absence of irritation, burns or a rash. If such symptoms have arisen, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
Important information! Wash hands thoroughly before the procedure. If you have previously used a rubber heating pad, then you need to make sure that there is no water in it. Also do not forget about hygiene. Use only clean, sterile towels to reduce the risk of skin infections. After use, it is recommended to treat the heating pad with an antiseptic and keep it open so that no moisture remains in the cavity.
Can I treat babies with a heating pad?
There is also an algorithm for using a heating pad to warm a newborn. Be careful! Failure to follow the rules can injure the baby's delicate body.
Important information! Do not add too hot water to the heating pad, otherwise you may leave burns on the baby's skin. Wrap the heating device in a diaper or towel.
Rules for using a heating pad for a newborn:
- Heat the water to 40 degrees Celsius and pour it into a heating pad.
- Wrap the heater in a diaper.
- Put the heating pad on the baby for five minutes.
All about salt warmer
The salt water heater is a universal means for warming. Unlike the classic device, the salt water heater is a stand-alone invention intended for repeated use. Such a heating pad is considered the best invention, because it is safe to use both for adults and children.
The composition of the device is simple: a container of PVC film is filled with saline, where subsequently the starters (triggers) are lowered in the form of sticks. To start using such a heating pad, it is enough just to bend the trigger, which makes the saline solution instantly heat up. The maximum temperature of the heating pad reaches 55 degrees Celsius. Typically, such a device works for four hours, but it all depends on the size of the device and the volume of saline. All that is needed is to stretch the PVC film so that the heating device comes into action.
Is an electric heating pad safe?
Although an electric heating pad has existed for a long time, it is still popular. It is divided into several subspecies, among which you can see an electric blanket, boot or pillow for warming the cervical-collar zone.
A heating device is a device that is equipped with a special heater, packed in safe insulation. To start using an electric heating pad, just connect the cord to electricity. Such a device does not consume a lot of electricity and can replace the usual oil battery.
Other types of heating pads
The most popular type of heating device is a hot-water bottle with cherry pits. The method of using a heating pad is simple: take a classic tank, heat the cherry bones and fill them in a container. Then plug it with a stopper, wrap the appliance with a towel and apply it to the right place. Also often used is the sunflower seed, which, after heating, fills the heating pad.
There are chemical heating pads, which we mentioned above. These include salt devices that are filled with solid salt crystals. Injury to such salts leads to a change in their shape from liquid to solid, and vice versa.
Where to put?
The heating pad should be used as follows:
- During pain during menstruation. A warming device is applied to the lower abdomen, while the girl is recommended to take a comfortable position in a prone position.
- With frostbite of the limbs. If a person is not in critical condition and specialist intervention is not required, a heating pad is applied under the legs and wrapped in a sheet or towel. With frostbite of the hands , a similar manipulation is performed.
- After a long stay in the cold, a heating pad is also applied under the legs and closer to the body. In this case, it is recommended to lay the person under the covers.
- With radiculitis and pain in the cervical-collar zone, a warming device is applied either to the lower back, or to the area between the head and shoulder blades.
- With cystitis, a heating pad is recommended to be applied to the kidney area.
- With colic in newborns, a heating pad is applied to the tummy.
Despite the fact that the heating pad is a universal remedy, before using it, you need to consult a specialist. Do not self-medicate. A warming device should only be used after a confirmed diagnosis.
Complications
When using the device we are considering, it is necessary to take into account such nuances:
- The technique of using a heating pad prohibits the use of the device in inflammatory processes, since the whole procedure can cause serious complications. If you apply a heating pad to the stomach, a warming device can cause pathology such as peritonitis, or inflammation of the abdominal cavity.
- Caution should be given to persons with high blood pressure, as the heating pad can slightly, but affect the tonometer. If you apply a heating pad to the cervical collar area, then headaches may appear.
- If you use excessively hot water, you are more likely to get a skin burn. It is also necessary to strictly maintain the warming time. The extra 10 minutes can really hurt.
A hot-water bottle is not a medicine, however, it is necessary to use such a device wisely and only after consulting with your personal doctor.