A doctor has shared a simple and cost-effective tip for cooling down during the UK heatwave, which is expected to bring temperatures of up to 39°C this week. Dr Jonny Betteridge, who previously worked in NHS Emergency Medicine and Anaesthetics, recommends using two ice packs placed on major blood vessels to rapidly lower body temperature.
Record-Breaking Heat Expected
The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat in central and southern England and Wales on Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday. An orange warning covers most other parts of England and Wales, from Lancashire and Cumbria down to the Cornish coast. Temperatures could surpass 39°C, potentially smashing the all-time June record.
Doctor's Cooling Hack
Dr Jonny Betteridge explained in a video that he regularly treated patients with dangerously high temperatures of 40-43°C. “Part of the rapid cooling would be to place ice packs on where the major blood vessels are. So the neck, under the arms, or in the groin,” he said. He personally finds the underarm area most effective. He advises wrapping small ice packs—available for as little as 50p each—in a thin cloth or gym shirt and placing them in the armpits or other areas with major blood vessels. “And trust me, the effect on body cooling is so good,” he added. For side sleepers, he recommends placing the pack under the armpit while lying on the side, combined with a fan.
Viewers Share Their Tips
Viewers praised the hack and shared their own methods. One person said, “I've been using a cold wet rag around my neck/upper back the past few days and it has really helped me.” Another shared, “I sleep on my front, a damp tea towel on my back in front of a fan works well for me.” A third added, “Tip from growing up somewhere hot: just run a thin t-shirt under the tap, wring it out and wear it (preferably lying in front of a fan). It will keep you cool for long enough to get to sleep but dries quickly enough not to get gross.” Others kept it simple, with one commenting, “A fan pointing towards my legs is perfection.”
