How to take a foot bath to combat the heat

A foot bath is also a good solution for dealing with the scorching heat. The feet, with their dense network of blood vessels, are a key area for dissipating body heat , and when you immerse them in cool water, it absorbs heat from the skin much more effectively than air, quickly cooling the feet and parts of the legs. Cooling the skin can help reduce the sensation of heat, making the body feel cooler, while the water facilitates heat exchange by conduction, allowing heat to pass from the skin to the heat, cooling the body.

The foot bath in a specific anti-heat version also helps to deflate ankles and feet tired from high temperatures and gives immediate relief to legs affected by the heat. 

Foot baths have several benefits for the feet, but in this case, to use them against the heat, some specific attention must be paid:

1. Fill a basin with very fresh, not frozen water, covering feet and ankles.
2. Dip your feet in 10–15 minutes.
3. If the water gets hot, add a little cold water to keep it nice and warm.
4. Eventually dry your feet well, especially between the toes.

You can do it 2–3 times a day , especially during the hottest hours.

In general, it's best to avoid adding ice directly to the water : very cold water can be uncomfortable and cause sudden vasoconstriction. However, when you need to add new water because the original has warmed up, you can also add a few ice cubes.

A 2019 study published in JAMA compared foot immersion with no cooling during intense heat exposure. At around 40°C (104°F) , foot immersion reduced thermal discomfort and sweating, but had a modest effect on heart rate. Specifically, the results were as follows:

• la sweating decreased: about 114 g/h versus 179 g/h;
• il thermal discomfort decreased: 45 versus 66 on the scale used. 

Read also:

• What is a foot bath good for?
• How to cool down with ice