When you hear the word “hypothermia,” you might picture someone stuck outside in the snow in the Alaska wilderness. But the reality is that hypothermia can strike anyone anywhere, even in a warmer state like Mississippi. Though it’s more common in cold temperatures, hypothermia is possible even at temperatures above 40°F, especially if you get wet and chilled.

Did you know urgent care can treat hypothermia? At Oxford Urgent Care in Oxford, MS, our caring providers are experienced in treating a wide range of conditions, illnesses, and injuries.

What Is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia occurs when your body’s core temperature drops below 95°F (normal core body temperature is 98.6°F), and your body is unable to produce heat faster than you lose it. As your temperature drops, your body’s vital organs (heart, brain, and others) can’t function normally. If untreated, hypothermia can be fatal.

What Causes Hypothermia?

Hypothermia can be caused by a variety of conditions or situations, including:

Having insufficient heat in your home.
Sleeping in a cold bedroom (infants are at highest risk).
Being outdoors in cool temperatures for a long time.
Getting wet and chilled due to rain, sweat, or falling into a body of water.

Children and infants are at higher risk of developing hypothermia, as they have a larger surface area in proportion to their size and can lose heat faster. Children may also expend their lower energy reserves faster than adults and may not realize they’re cold while playing outside.

Older adults are also at higher risk, since they may not be as active (producing less body heat) and tend to have lower fat stores (less insulation).

Hypothermia Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of mild hypothermia include:

Shivering.
Chattering teeth.
Difficulty speaking.
Clumsiness or fumbling hands.
Drowsiness.
Exhaustion.
Fast heart rate.
Confusion.
Frequent urinating.

Signs of more severe hypothermia include:

Slow or shallow breathing.
Weak or slow pulses.
Hallucinations.
Bluish skin color.
Dilated (wide) pupils.
Slurred speech.
Extreme confusion or losing consciousness.
Low blood pressure.
Irregular heart rhythm.
Stiff muscles.

Hypothermia symptoms in infants are somewhat different and include bright red, cold skin and a low energy level (lethargy).

What to Do If You Get Hypothermia

If you observe someone with signs of more severe hypothermia, call 911 immediately to get them emergency hypothermia treatment. Such symptoms can indicate a more critical condition that is best treated in an emergency room and may require hospital admission.

In many cases, mild cases of hypothermia can be treated in urgent care. If someone is experiencing symptoms like shivering, fumbling hands, and drowsiness but is responsive and able to walk and talk, get them to urgent care right away. If you are experiencing hypothermia, call for emergency help.

Helping With Hypothermia: Immediate Steps

Before you come to urgent care, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate someone’s hypothermia symptoms.

Move them to a dry, warm place or shelter.

If the person is wearing wet clothes, remove them and replace them with dry, warm clothes and a warm hat. Wrapping them in a blanket can be helpful as well.

Hypothermia Treatment at Urgent Care

When you visit urgent care, an experienced provider will discuss your symptoms, assess your vital signs (including temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate), and do a physical exam. They’ll ensure you are in stable condition and take steps to warm you. Before leaving for home, your urgent care team will ensure you have any aftercare instructions and the means to stay warm and dry.

Preventing Hypothermia

Here are some practical things you can do to protect yourself or your family members from hypothermia:

Dress for the weather. Wear warm clothes when the weather’s chilly, including a jacket, hat, and mittens or gloves. Wearing layers of clothing is a good approach. Raingear can help keep you warm and dry in wet, rainy conditions.

Limit time outdoors. Staying outside too long in cold weather increases your risk of hypothermia. Bring children inside to warm up, especially if you notice shivering—an early sign of hypothermia.

Dry off when you get wet. If you or someone else falls into cold water while boating, fishing, or hiking, get to a warm and dry location and change into dry clothes right away.

Avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase your susceptibility to hypothermia. If you’re going to be outside in cool weather or out on the water, avoid alcoholic beverages.

If you or a family member are experiencing hypothermia symptoms, don’t hesitate to visit us at Oxford Urgent Care. Our experienced team is ready 7 days a week to provide the top-quality care you need.