4 Most common mistakes when using ice packs

Many people immediately use cold compresses to treat a sprained or sprained foot after exercise or a swollen forehead sucked door. Unfortunately, not a few people still make some mistakes when using ice packs to treat swelling or other injuries. Instead of healing, it can actually worsen your condition. So, what are the most common mistakes when using cold compresses to treat injuries? Check out the following reviews.

Ice can help reduce swelling

Cold compresses are commonly used to relieve pain and reduce bruising and swelling that may develop within 24-48 hours of the injury. Cold compresses aim to reduce inflammation, reduce bleeding into the tissues, and reduce muscle spasms and pain.

As soon as an injury occurs, the area of the injury will experience inflammation and damage to vessels causing blood cells to leak out. That's why your skin can appear bluish red to dark purple shortly after the injury.

Well, the low temperature of the ice pack can stimulate narrowed blood vessels to slow blood flow to the injury site. This decrease in blood flow causes less inflammatory stimulants moving toward the injured area, which can reduce swelling and pain.

In the world of first aid, the use of cold compresses is part of the RICE method, namely:

Rest, resting the injured part.
Ice, do an ice pack on the injured part.
Compression, using elastic dressings to reduce tissue swelling and further bleeding.
Elevation, elevating the injured part from the position of the heart so that blood flow can run smoothly.

Because it is an important part of first aid when you are injured, that is why it is important to know how to use ice packs properly.

The most common mistake people make when applying ice

Here are 4 mistakes that are most often made when using an ice pack:

1. Too long to compress

Too long applying ice to the skin can make your condition even worse. This is because prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can actually kill the tissue which makes the recovery process even more delayed.

You can apply cold compresses to the injured area at least 3 times a day. However, you are only recommended to compress 10-15 minutes at a time. If you want to repeat it, allow 10-30 minutes between compresses so that the injured area can still get enough blood flow.

2. Apply ice directly to the skin

This is the most common mistake people make. Instead of wanting to heal quickly, applying ice directly to the injured skin can cause frostbite and damage to the tissues and nervous system that are in your skin.

To prevent this from happening, first wrap the ice cubes in a thin washcloth before applying them to your skin. You can also soak a towel in a basin filled with cold water and ice cubes, wring it out before applying it to your skin.

3. Forcing activities when compressed

Compressing the injured body part is only a first aid action, not really healing or healing.

In order to recover quickly, you must rest the injured body part. Do not do too much activity during this healing period, even though the injury has been deflated after applying the compress. It's a good idea to rest the injured area for at least 24 hours until your condition really gets better.

Forcing to continue physical activity actually prolongs the healing process of the injury.

4. Do not seek medical help immediately

Due to its nature as first aid, it is important that you continue to seek medical help after an injury. Especially if you have a serious injury due to sports or an accident. This is done as an effort to prevent complications after injury.

So, after treatment with an ice pack, you should seek medical help from the nearest doctor, hospital, or health service to get further treatment.