Hot water bottles come in different shapes and sizes. They are made of plastic with gel filling for the microwave or they are available as a hollow body, which can also be made of plastic but also of copper and which is to be filled with hot water before use. Hot water bottles serve as soothing heat dispensers and are sometimes used specifically for heat therapy purposes.
What is a hot water bottle?
A hot water bottle works especially well for stomach aches and chills. Therefore, it should not be missing in any household. A hot water bottle consists of two components, a filling body with a filling opening and a solid screw cap, which is to prevent the water from flowing out. Nowadays, the body of the hot water bottle is no longer made of rubber, it is made of a durable and heat-resistant PVC. The plastic does not tend to brittle like rubber, it is durable for years and even generations. Gel hot water bottles are a compact unit, as they do not need to be filled. They have a non-removable fabric cover and are heated in the microwave before use. The predecessors of bed warmers were made of copper. The reddish shiny metal not only has a beautiful appearance, it conducts heat excellently. Therefore, the hot water bottle made of copper is gaining popularity again.
Shapes, types and types
Hot water bottles made of colored plastic in their classic version have a rounded rectangular shape. Other variants of shape are tubular bodies, they resemble a bolster, which can be bent into any shape. Another modification is the round shape. Its central closure can be pressed in, therefore it takes the form of a decorative pillow. Playful versions show up in the shape of a heart. Their practical function does not distinguish them from other variants, it is only their decorative appearance that enhances them. Copper bed warmers are usually oval and about a hand’s width high. Almost forgotten is the warmer roll made of the said metal, cold hands can practically embrace the cylindrical body. The saddle-shaped bed warmer made of copper shows in U-shape and is placed directly over the respective part of the body. For babies and children, there are hot water bottles in correspondingly smaller sizes.
Structure, function and mode of action
For a hot water bottle to prove itself as such, it is heated by microwaves or filled with hot water. It gives off most of its heat through its bottle body, as this forms the largest surface area of the item. Therefore, the warmer should be placed under blankets and pillows as soon as possible. Blankets and pillows have the property of not transmitting heat and keep the bottle body from cooling down. Direct contact with the heat dispenser is rather unpleasant, as the internal temperature is largely transferred to the external area. For this purpose, there are protective covers made of fleece or terry cloth, which are provided with an elastic band or Velcro fastener. They are available in different colors, patterns and motifs. Especially for children there are covers in the form of stuffed animals. Copper bed warmers get especially hot due to their metal structure and cool down faster than their PVC counterparts. For copper hot water bottles there are sleeves with drawstrings, these are usually made of crochet lace, less often of fleece or terry cloth.
Medical and health benefits
Hot water bottles are used as much in therapy practices as they are used as a supplement to home remedies. The influence of heat has a relaxing, antispasmodic, circulation-enhancing and pain-relieving effect. In the case of muscle strains and joint injuries, heat sources are used, in addition to medical prescriptions. Due to the temperature, the tissue relaxes and absorbs remedies such as ointments more easily. After massages against tension or even against cramps, heat pads serve as a lasting muscle relaxation and relieve pain and discomfort. At the age of two or three, children begin to consciously perceive their dreams and therefore wake up screaming at night. A source of warmth in the form of a stuffed animal gives them a sense of security and makes it easier for them to get through this time. For colds, cold calf or full body wraps are used and a tube warmer is tied around the neck. In case of insomnia during hot summer nights, cold sources are used. For this purpose, the property of copper is particularly suitable. The metal hot water bottle is filled with iced water shortly before going to bed.
