How to Treat Hot Flashes With Ice Packs

Hot flashes can be caused by a variety of hormonal conditions; however, they are most commonly experienced by menopausal women. According to the Mayo Clinic, three out of four women experience hot flashes as they go through menopause. Hot flashes are characterized by a surge of heat that passes through your body, leaving you flushed and sweaty. They can happen at any time of day or night and, while not dangerous, they can be uncomfortable and difficult to deal with. Ice packs may provide some relief by cooling and controling your body temperature.

Things You'll Need

• Gel ice pack
• Towel
• Cooler

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Instructions

• 1

  Place your ice packs in the freezer for at least two hours prior to use. Try to have several ice packs on hand so you can circulate packs from use to the freezer and back again.

• 2

  Wrap the ice pack in a towel to protect your skin from the cold.

• 3

  Place the towel-wrapped ice pack onto your forehead or the back of your neck. These areas help to cool the entire body quickly.

• 4

  Keep an ice pack in a small camping cooler next to your bed if you tend to experience night sweats or nightly hot flashes. Just take the pack out of the cooler and apply to your forehead at the first sign of overheating.

• 5

  Replace the ice pack in the freezer once the hot flash passes or after the pack has thawed.