A cold compress can constrict the blood vessels and relieve inflammation while a warm compress can dilate the blood vessels to relieve muscle tightening. A., Blankevoort, L., Welling, L., van Dijk, C. Both warm and cold compress are effective for certain situations. Should you use ice or heat for pain? (2014, August 11).Current knowledge of burn injury first aid practices and applied traditional remedies: A nationwide survey. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. This involves resting the injured area, keeping it elevated, and applying a cool compress. Wrap the bag in a light cloth and apply it to the injury.Ī person should also consider using the RICE method.Freeze the bag until it is solid or stiff.Wrap the bag in a thin cloth, to protect the skin, before applying it to the injury.Īlternatively, a person can freeze a wet washcloth or towel.Fill the bag with ice or frozen vegetables.Placing an ice pack on an acute injury immediately. If symptoms do not improve, contact a doctor. Typically, cold is most appropriate for acute injuries and heat is a better bet for chronic injuries. A person should apply and remove the ice compress at intervals for as long as necessary.
Ice is most effective in the immediate aftermath of an injury. It is a good idea to keep extra ice or even bags of frozen vegetables in the freezer for use in an emergency. They can be easily included in a first aid kit.Ĭold compresses are also easy to make at home, and ice is often a key ingredient. There are also chemical packs that, when broken, freeze similarly to ice. For example, there are specially designed bags that a person can fill with ice at home to make a quick cold compress. Several cold compresses can be purchased at a local pharmacy and other retailers. Share on Pinterest A variety of cold compresses are available to buy at local pharmacies.
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