Everything you need to know about instant ice

We will be discussing the benefits of instant ice today on the Dispotech blog, and how useful it can be to have an ice pack or ice ready for use in times of need. Below is a list of the benefits of cold, how to 'improvise' an ice pack, its uses and risks. We will use an article we read on healthline.com as support.

We have already spoken several times on our blog about the benefits of ice. Cold acts to limit the onset of swelling and inflammation and stops blood loss as it restricts the circulation of blood vessels. Ice also has a powerful pain-relieving effect and stops bruising from forming.

Having gel packs to be chilled (or heated, according to the situation) or instant ice packs (those which become cold due to an internal chemical reaction caused by pressing) in your first aid kit or at home is a good idea. However, if you find yourself in an emergency situation, you can always rely on some ice cubes. Remember to always have some in your freezer: even if you don’t like cold beverages, having a few ice cubes can always come in handy! Putting more than one in a bag will let you quickly create an ice pack that can be used instantly and at no cost.

If you don’t have any ice cubes, you can also use a bag of frozen vegetables (or similar products). What is important is to never keep the ice pack in direct contact with the skin, but always use a soft cloth as a 'shield' between the skin and the ice. For delicate parts of the body, such as the eyes, consider wetting a towel, putting it in a bag and placing it in the freezer for 15 minutes before using. The cloth will be cool but not excessively cold.

Compresses should be kept on the affected area for no more than 20 minutes. Once removed, gently dry the skin and give your body time to recuperate its usual temperature. Repeat the compresses if necessary, until the swelling disappears. If you don’t seen an improvement after 48/72 hours or feel too much pain, contact a doctor immediately.

If you have suffered an injury, you can follow the RICE protocol, an acronym that stands for:

• Rest ->;
• Ice -> apply ice;
• Compress -> wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage;
• Elevate -> try to keep the part affected by pain raised a little to allow the swelling to drain away. If you’ve hurt your ankle, for example, rest it on a pile of pillows.

To reduce pain, consider taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen.

Ice packs can relieve various types of pain: headaches, muscle strains, muscle sprains, tendonitis, fever, eye allergies, etc.

Using cold compresses is one of the easiest ways to treat an injury. There are, however, some side effects to watch out for, which we will indicate below:

• Don’t apply ice directly in contact with the skin. You could give yourself a cold burn.
• Don’t keep ice for too long on the painful area. You might cause it to freeze.
• Don’t use an ice pack on serious injuries - you could worsen the situation.
• Don’t use ice packs if you suffer from diabetes or Raynaud’s syndrome.
• If you suffer from problems such as arthritis, muscle stiffness, or chronic pain, do not use ice, but the benefits of a warm compress.

What remedies do you use in the event of injuries? Do you use ice? Tell us about your experiences; contact Dispotech.