Using Ice and Cold Packs | Michigan Medicine

Apply an ice or cold pack to the injured or sore area at least 3 times a day for as long as you have pain, swelling, and inflammation. For the first 72 hours, ... Jumptocontent Updatedvisitorguidelines OtherUMHSSites YouarehereHome»UsingIceandColdPacks Topofthepage UsingIceandColdPacks TopicOverviewIceandcoldpackscanrelievepain,swelling,andinflammationfrominjuriesandotherconditions,suchasarthritis.Typesoficeandcoldpacks Icetowel.Wetatowelwithcoldwaterandsqueezeituntilitisjustdamp.Foldthetowel,placeitinaplasticbag,andfreezeitfor15minutes.Removethetowelfromthebagandplaceitontheinjuredorsorearea. Icepack.Putabout1lb(0.5kg)oficeinaplasticbagoricepackyoubuyatthestore.Addenoughwatertobarelycovertheice.Squeezetheairoutofthebagandsealit.Wrapthebaginawettowelandapplytotheaffectedarea. Coldpacks. Bagsoffrozenpeasorcornareinexpensive,last10to20minutes,andmoldwelltoyourbody. Mix3cups(710mL)waterand1cup(235mL)rubbingalcoholinafreezerbag.Sealthebagandplaceitinthefreezeruntilslushforms.Refreezethebagwhentheslushmelts. Youcanalsobuycoldpacksthatcanbereused.Storetheminyourfreezer.Someofthemaredesignedtowraparoundaninjuredarea,suchasanarmorknee.e UsinganiceorcoldpackApplyaniceorcoldpacktotheinjuredorsoreareaatleast3timesadayforaslongasyouhavepain,swelling,andinflammation.Forthefirst72hours,icefor10minutes,onceanhour.Afterthat,useicefor15to20minutes,3timesaday:inthemorning,inthelateafternoonafterworkorschool,andaboutone-halfhourbeforebedtime.Also,iceafteranyprolongedactivityorvigorousexercise. Alwayskeepaclothbetweenyourskinandtheicepack,andpressfirmlyagainstallthecurvesoftheaffectedarea.Donotapplyiceforlongerthan15to20minutesatatime,anddonotfallasleepwiththeiceonyourskin.Commercialcoldpacksaretooheavyandbulkyforuseonoraroundtheeye.Becarefularoundtheeyetopreventachemicalburntotheeyeifapackleaks. RelatedInformation Toe,Foot,andAnkleInjuriesBackProblemsandInjuriesKneeProblemsandInjuriesUseHeatorIcetoRelieveLowBackPainLowBackPainShoulderProblemsandInjuriesToe,Foot,andAnkleProblems,Noninjury Credits Currentasof: November16,2020 Author:HealthwiseStaffMedicalReview:WilliamH.BlahdJr.MD,FACEP-EmergencyMedicineAdamHusneyMD-FamilyMedicineKathleenRomitoMD-FamilyMedicineJoanRiggPT,OCS-PhysicalTherapy Topofthepage NextSection: RelatedInformation PreviousSection: TopicOverview Topofthepage NextSection: Credits PreviousSection: RelatedInformation Topofthepage Currentasof:November16,2020 Author: HealthwiseStaff MedicalReview:WilliamH.BlahdJr.MD,FACEP-EmergencyMedicine&AdamHusneyMD-FamilyMedicine&KathleenRomitoMD-FamilyMedicine&JoanRiggPT,OCS-PhysicalTherapy Thisinformationdoesnotreplacetheadviceofadoctor.Healthwise,Incorporated,disclaimsanywarrantyorliabilityforyouruseofthisinformation.YouruseofthisinformationmeansthatyouagreetotheTermsofUse.Learnhowwedevelopourcontent. TolearnmoreaboutHealthwise,visitHealthwise.org. ©1995-2021Healthwise,Incorporated.Healthwise,Healthwiseforeveryhealthdecision,andtheHealthwiselogoaretrademarksofHealthwise,Incorporated. UsingIceandColdPacks NOTICE:ThishealthinformationwasnotcreatedbytheUniversityofMichiganHealthSystem(UMHS)andmaynotnecessarilyreflectspecificUMHSpractices.Formedicaladvicerelatingtoyourpersonalcondition,pleaseconsultyourdoctor.Completedisclaimer