Hypothermia (low body temperature)
Hypothermia (low body temperature)
Hypothermia happens when the body's temperature falls below 35°C, compared with a normal reading of 37°C. When it drops this low, blood does not circulate as well around the body, and normal body functions begin to slow down.
It can happen indoors as well as outdoors.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency and will get worse if it is not treated. That said, mild hypothermia can be treated safely and effectively with the right first aid.
Common Symptoms
Emergency Warning Signs
Call 999 or go straight to the emergency department if you or someone with you shows signs of hypothermia.
First aid for someone with hypothermia
The British Red Cross has a first aid training video showing the basics of treating hypothermia, worth watching for reference.
What to do while you are waiting for help
If you think someone has hypothermia, here is what you can do while help is on the way.
1. Move somewhere sheltered
If the person is outside, get them indoors if you can. If that is not possible, move them somewhere sheltered as quickly as you can.
Keep them out of the wind and off the bare ground. You could put a backpack or something similar underneath them.
2. Remove wet clothing
Take off any wet clothes and replace them with dry ones.
Once they are out of the wet clothing, wrap them in blankets, a sleeping bag or a dry towel, and make sure their head is covered too.
Do not take off your own clothes to give to them. You need to stay warm yourself.
3. Stay with them
If the person is fully awake, offer them a warm drink and high energy foods such as chocolate.
Stay with them until help arrives, and keep talking to them so they stay awake.
If you are somewhere remote and cannot call for help, do not go off alone to find it. Go in a pair or a group if you possibly can.
What not to do while you are waiting for help
Some things can actually make hypothermia worse, so avoid them while you wait for help.
Do not
- rub their arms, legs, feet or hands
- put them in a hot bath or use a heat lamp to warm them up
- apply heat directly to the skin. Wrap a hot water bottle or heat pad in a jumper or blanket first
- give them alcohol to drink
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Call 999 or go to the emergency department (A&E) if:
- you or someone else shows signs of hypothermia
First aid for someone with hypothermia
Watch the British Red Cross first aid training video for guidance on basic first aid for hypothermia.
What to do while you are waiting for help
If you think someone has hypothermia, there are things you can do while help is on the way.
1. Move somewhere sheltered
If the person is outdoors, try to move them inside. If that is not possible, move them somewhere sheltered as quickly as you can.
Try to keep them out of the wind and off the ground. For example, you could put a backpack underneath them.
2. Remove wet clothing
You should replace any wet clothes with dry ones.
Once they are out of wet clothing, wrap the person in blankets, a sleeping bag or a dry towel. Make sure their head is covered.
Do not remove your own clothing to give to the person. It is important that you stay warm too.
3. Stay with them
If the person is fully awake, offer them a warm drink and high energy foods like chocolate.
Stay with them until help arrives. Keep talking to them to help keep them awake.
If you are in a remote area and cannot phone for help, do not go for help alone. If possible, always go in a pair or group.
What not to do while you are waiting for help
There are some things you should avoid doing while waiting for help to arrive, as these could make hypothermia worse.
Do not
- do not rub their arms, legs, feet or hands
- do not use a hot bath or heat lamp to warm them up
- do not apply heat directly to the skin, use a jumper or a blanket to wrap up a hot water bottle or heat pad first
- do not give them alcohol to drink
Causes
What causes hypothermia?
Hypothermia can happen both indoors and outdoors. It can happen if you:
- don't wear enough warm clothing in cold weather
- live in a cold house
- stay out in the cold too long
- have been in cold water
- have damp or wet clothes and get cold
Hypothermia can also be caused by a medical condition like sepsis or an infection. If it's caused by a medical problem, you'll usually have other symptoms too.
Who's most at risk of hypothermia?
Hypothermia can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk, including:
- people who can't afford fuel and heating costs during winter
- older people, often due to medical conditions and being less able to regulate body temperature
- young children, who lose heat quickly and can't protect themselves in cold temperatures
- disabled people, often due to reduced mobility, sensory impairments or medical conditions
- people with long-term medical conditions, including thyroid, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions
- people with mental health conditions
- pregnant women
- people sleeping rough
Treatment
If you have hypothermia, you'll usually need hospital care. Doctors will monitor your heart rate and may give you oxygen to help you breathe, along with warm fluids through a vein to help your body warm up.
If the hypothermia is severe, you may need treatment in intensive care.
Prevention
There are simple steps that can help prevent hypothermia.
Check your local weather forecast when you're planning to spend time outdoors, and check it again just before you leave to see the latest updates.
You should pack:
- extra clothing, including another jacket, hat and gloves
- a flask with a warm drink
- waterproof clothing
- high energy snacks
- a bivvy bag and group shelter, if you're going for a hike or a long walk
When outdoors, you should:
- wear several layers of clothing
- check that children are warm enough
- take breaks to warm up
- try not to spend long periods in cold temperatures
- change into dry clothing as soon as possible if you get damp or wet
It's also important to keep warm indoors when the weather is cold.
Complications
Complications of hypothermia
Hypothermia can:
- increase the risk of blood clots – which leads to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes
- increase the risk of chest infections
- worsen breathing problems
- increase the risk of falls
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