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Fomentations: Purpose and Effects
- To increase body temperature.
- Increases circulating white blood cells.
- Increases blood flow to the skin, thereby relieving internal congestion.
- Relieves muscle spasm by increasing circulation and relaxing muscle tension.
- Increases elimination of toxins by promoting sweating.
Fomentations: Contraindications
- Do not use on the legs or feet of a diabetic.
- Edema, varicose veins and advanced vascular disease of the legs and feet.
- Young children or anyone unable to communicate.
- Tendency to bleed.
- Stomach and bowel ulcers.
Equipment
- Plastic sheeting to protect bed or table
- Large blanket (wool preferred)
- Sheet
- Pillow
- Towels – 8
- Washcloths - 2
- Basin of ice water
- Microwave or large kettle for heating fomentations.
- Oral thermometer
- Kitchen or pool thermometer
Preparation of Fomentation
- Take large bath towel soaked in water; wring out all the water possible.
- Place the towel in a plastic bag and microwave for 2-4 minutes.
- Quickly remove towel from bag and wrap in dry towel.
Treatment
- Cover table or bed with plastic sheeting, then blanket and sheet.
- Have patient lie down and wrap well in sheet and blanket.
- Apply one fomentation under the patient’s back and one across the chest.
- Leave in place for 3-5 minutes. When the fomentation becomes comfortable, it is time to change it.
- Apply cool washcloth to the head when patient starts to warm up.
- Offer water to drink as patient begins to sweat.
- Between changes, rub skin quickly with cold washcloth.
- Apply 3-4 fomentations, ending with cold rub.
- Dry patient thoroughly and have him/her rest for at least 30 minutes.
Special Considerations
- Be especially careful with thin or aged persons or children.
- Always ask if fomentations are burning the patient. If they are too hot, dry the skin and/or put towel between skin and hot fomentation.
- Keep the towels under fomentation dry, moisture will increase the chance of burning the patient.
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