Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to MakeUsesBenefitsRisks and WarningsWarm vs. Cold Compresses
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How to Make
Uses
Benefits
Risks and Warnings
Warm vs. Cold Compresses
A cold compress is a frozen or chilled material, such as an ice pack or a cooled washcloth. There are different types, including homemade and commercially available products.
Cold compresses can be used to manage swelling and inflammation. They may even help manage bleeding. Cold restricts blood circulation to numb pain and reduce bruising.
You have different options for the types of cold compresses you can use based on the type of injury. For example, you can use an ice mask for sinus or eye pain or an ice pack after a minor fall.
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How to Make a Cold Compress
Various types of cold compresses are available for purchase at your favorite retailer. Some are specially designed bags that you can fill with ice at home, and others are chemical packs that, when broken, will freeze.
You can also make your own cold compress at home. Some homemade cold compresses include ice as a main ingredient. Ice is the most effective way to manage swelling from an injury.
To make an ice-based instant cold compress:
You can also freeze a wet washcloth or towel to make a homemade compress.
To make a cold compress using frozen vegetables:
The RICE MethodWhen applying a cold compress to an injury, consider using theRICE method. “RICE” stands for “rest, ice, compression, and elevation.“The RICE method should be started as soon as you notice pain and swelling in the injured area.
The RICE Method
When applying a cold compress to an injury, consider using theRICE method. “RICE” stands for “rest, ice, compression, and elevation.“The RICE method should be started as soon as you notice pain and swelling in the injured area.
How to Use a Cold Compress
Headaches
For a headache, you may apply a cold compress to your head or neck for a numbing effect. Apply a cold to the painful, tense area for 20 minutes at a time every four to six hours.You may also consider anice massageto manage headache pain.Massage the affected area with an ice cube or ice pack in a circular motion for up to five minutes.
Eyes
For the eye, you need to be careful about the kind of cold compress used and for how long. Commercial cold packs are often too cold to use on the eye.A washcloth dipped in cold water is often enough. You can also wrap a small bag of ice cubes in a small towel.
Do not use a cold compress on the eye for too long. The Rand Eye Institute recommends using a cold compress on the affected eye for no more than 20 minutes at a time.For swelling, you can reapply every two hours.
How to Make a Dry or Moist Warm Compress
Fevers
To manage a fever, place a cooling cloth or ice pack on the forehead. For very high fever, place the ice pack under the armpit or groin area where there are larger blood vessels.Wrap the compress in a towel to avoid direct skin contact. Leave the pack in place for no more than 15 minutes and move it consistently to prevent frostbite.
Babies and Small ChildrenDo not use cold compresses on babies or small children. They cannot tell you if the pack is too cold and injury may result.
Babies and Small Children
Do not use cold compresses on babies or small children. They cannot tell you if the pack is too cold and injury may result.
Pain Management
Cold compresses can help manage pain, swelling, and symptoms associated with acute (sudden, short-term) injuries,gout,muscle strains, andtendinitis(tendon irritation). For these conditions, you can use an ice massage or cold pack for20 minutes on and 30 minutes off.
Nosebleeds
You can use a cold compress to slow or stop anosebleed.If a nosebleed has not stopped after 15 minutes, try placing a cold compress on the bridge of the nose and pinching the nose shut.
How Long and How Often to Apply Cold Compress TherapyApply ice for no more than 20 minutes at a time.After waiting 30 minutes, repeat. Icing for 20 minutes several times a day manages swelling and pain, and it may control inflammation and swelling better than oral pain medicines and injections.
How Long and How Often to Apply Cold Compress Therapy
Apply ice for no more than 20 minutes at a time.After waiting 30 minutes, repeat. Icing for 20 minutes several times a day manages swelling and pain, and it may control inflammation and swelling better than oral pain medicines and injections.
Benefits of Cold Compresses
Benefits of using compresses on the body include:
Cold compress therapy is a safe and powerful way to manage pain and swelling and effectively promote healing. However, it should be used correctly.
You should avoid cold compresses if:
When using cold therapy, you will want to avoid:
Direct Skin Contact With the Ice
Do not apply ice or a cold compress directly to the skin. This can causefrostbite, a skin injury due to exposure to freezing temperatures. Wrap your cold compress in a towel or cloth to provide a barrier between your skin and the ice.
Using for Long Periods
You should avoid prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, as this can lead to tissue damage. To prevent adverse reactions, limit your cold therapy sessions to no more than 20 minutes.
Contraindications
Cold therapy is not suitable for everyone, including people with vascular and nerve diseases and who are sensitive to cold temperatures. Consult your healthcare provider before using cold compresses if you have an underlying health condition.
If the cold compress is too uncomfortable or painful, stop using it or adjust it so it is comfortable.
How to Properly Ice an Injury
Warm compresses may help to relieve pain, strains, and irritation. They can be dry or moist.
Dry heat therapy includes heating pads, while moist heat therapy includes steamed towels and hot water bottles.You can purchase heating pads or hot water bottles from your favorite retailer ormake your own warm compress. Wrap a hot compress in a towel or thick cloth to avoid burning the skin.
Use warm compresses to manage stiffness and tension for 15 minutes at a time, with 30 minutes off.
Some people should not use warm compresses.This includes people with:
You should also check with your healthcare provider on the safety of warm compress therapy if you havehigh blood pressure (hypertension)orheart disease. These conditions can impair the body’s ability to increase blood flow and sweat in response to heat.
If you experience muscle or joint pain that lasts more than a few days, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Deciding Which One to Use
Cold compresses are helpful for acute (sudden, short-term) injuries, inflammation, and swelling. Cold can slow blood flow to the injured area to reduce pain and swelling.
Heat can be helpful for chronic (long-lasting) pain conditions, such as arthritis, overuse injuries, and those that occur over time. Heat can increase blood flow to repair damaged tissues.
Some injuries and health conditions may benefit from alternating between cold and hot compresses. Apply ice for no more than 20 minutes at a time and wait at least 30 minutes before icing again.
After icing the area for 48 hours, you can apply heat.Use heat for 20 minutes at a time.
Where Are the Sinuses Located?The sinuses are air-filled cavities found in the skull bones.They are named based on their location and include:Ethmoid sinuses: On each side of the bridge of the nose, near the eyesFrontal sinuses: Over the forehead and above both eyesMaxillary sinuses: Over the cheek area, under the eyes on both sides of the faceSphenoid sinuses: In the sphenoid bone located at the center of the skull, just behind the eyes.
Where Are the Sinuses Located?
The sinuses are air-filled cavities found in the skull bones.They are named based on their location and include:Ethmoid sinuses: On each side of the bridge of the nose, near the eyesFrontal sinuses: Over the forehead and above both eyesMaxillary sinuses: Over the cheek area, under the eyes on both sides of the faceSphenoid sinuses: In the sphenoid bone located at the center of the skull, just behind the eyes.
The sinuses are air-filled cavities found in the skull bones.They are named based on their location and include:
For other conditions, the rule is to apply cold first to reduce swelling.Once the swelling goes down, you can use heat for pain relief and to promote blood flow to allow the body area to heal. The type of injuries where you should start with ice and then heat later are:
Is Ice or Heat Better for Treating an Injury?
A Word From VerywellCold compresses are useful for a variety of conditions. Discussing them with your healthcare provider can help you figure out how compresses—in addition to physical therapy, stretching, or other means—can be part of your treatment regimen for managing many chronic musculoskeletal conditions.—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Cold compresses are useful for a variety of conditions. Discussing them with your healthcare provider can help you figure out how compresses—in addition to physical therapy, stretching, or other means—can be part of your treatment regimen for managing many chronic musculoskeletal conditions.—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Cold compresses are useful for a variety of conditions. Discussing them with your healthcare provider can help you figure out how compresses—in addition to physical therapy, stretching, or other means—can be part of your treatment regimen for managing many chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
Cooling an injury can help reduce swelling and pain. A cold compress, like an ice pack or a cold pad, can help ease acute injury symptoms. You can buy a commercially made cold compress for use at home, or you can make your own using ice, frozen vegetables, or a damp towel.
Immediate treatment is best when using a cold compress for an injury. The compress should be used for only 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. If pain and other symptoms continue after 48 hours, consider making an appointment with your healthcare provider.
To avoid cold burns, avoid applying a cold compress to the skin directly, and do not ice a body area for too long. If you have a severe injury, it is best to seek medical attention. You should also avoid cold compresses if you have a vascular or nerve condition or any condition that causes decreased sensation.
Heat therapy might be better for long-term injuries like arthritis. To avoid burns, do not use warm compresses for longer than 20 minutes at a time, and always use a cloth barrier like a towel.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Rochester Medical Center.Cold therapy (cryotherapy) for pain management,UMPC Health Beat.How to use the RICE method for treating injuries.Mooventhan A, Bharti S, Nivethitha L, Manjunath NK.Effect of ice massage to head and spine on blood pressure and heart rate variability in patients with hypertension: a pilot study.Int J Ther MassageBodywork. 2021;14(3):22-26. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v14i3.573Hsu YY, Chen CJ, Wu SH, Chen KH.Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(11-12):2455-2465. doi:10.1111/jocn.16368Rand Eye Insitute.Cold compressesSalgado PO, Silva LC, Silva PM, Chianca TC.Physical methods for the treatment of fever in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial.Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2016;50(5):823-30. doi:10.1590/S0080-623420160000600016OrthoCarolina.When to treat to pain with ice vs heat?Vargas E Silva NCO, Rubio AL, Alfieri FM.Pain tolerance: the influence of cold or heat therapy.J Chiropr Med. 2019;18(4):261-269. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2019.03.002Mount Sinai.Nosebleed.Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?.World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116Esperland D, de Weerd L, Mercer JB.Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water - a continuing subject of debate.Int J Circumpolar Health. 2022;81(1):2111789. doi:10.1080/22423982.2022.2111789Berry D, Carlson JN, Singletary E, Zideman DA, Ring J.Use of cryotherapy for managing epistaxis in the first aid setting: a scoping review.Cureus. 2021;13(5):e14832. doi:10.7759/cureus.14832Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Using cold and heat therapies information.The Ohio State University.Non-drug pain relief: heat therapy.Pizzey FK, Smith EC, Ruediger SL, et al.The effect of heat therapy on blood pressure and peripheral vascular function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Exp Physiol. 2021;106(6):1317-1334.doi:10.1113/EP089424National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Sports injuries.Johns Hopkins.Ice packs vs. warm compresses for pain.ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP.Sinus pain relief! 5 ways to ease the pain.Jones, O. TeachMe Anatomy.The paranasal sinuses.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Rochester Medical Center.Cold therapy (cryotherapy) for pain management,UMPC Health Beat.How to use the RICE method for treating injuries.Mooventhan A, Bharti S, Nivethitha L, Manjunath NK.Effect of ice massage to head and spine on blood pressure and heart rate variability in patients with hypertension: a pilot study.Int J Ther MassageBodywork. 2021;14(3):22-26. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v14i3.573Hsu YY, Chen CJ, Wu SH, Chen KH.Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(11-12):2455-2465. doi:10.1111/jocn.16368Rand Eye Insitute.Cold compressesSalgado PO, Silva LC, Silva PM, Chianca TC.Physical methods for the treatment of fever in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial.Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2016;50(5):823-30. doi:10.1590/S0080-623420160000600016OrthoCarolina.When to treat to pain with ice vs heat?Vargas E Silva NCO, Rubio AL, Alfieri FM.Pain tolerance: the influence of cold or heat therapy.J Chiropr Med. 2019;18(4):261-269. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2019.03.002Mount Sinai.Nosebleed.Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?.World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116Esperland D, de Weerd L, Mercer JB.Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water - a continuing subject of debate.Int J Circumpolar Health. 2022;81(1):2111789. doi:10.1080/22423982.2022.2111789Berry D, Carlson JN, Singletary E, Zideman DA, Ring J.Use of cryotherapy for managing epistaxis in the first aid setting: a scoping review.Cureus. 2021;13(5):e14832. doi:10.7759/cureus.14832Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Using cold and heat therapies information.The Ohio State University.Non-drug pain relief: heat therapy.Pizzey FK, Smith EC, Ruediger SL, et al.The effect of heat therapy on blood pressure and peripheral vascular function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Exp Physiol. 2021;106(6):1317-1334.doi:10.1113/EP089424National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Sports injuries.Johns Hopkins.Ice packs vs. warm compresses for pain.ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP.Sinus pain relief! 5 ways to ease the pain.Jones, O. TeachMe Anatomy.The paranasal sinuses.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Cold therapy (cryotherapy) for pain management,UMPC Health Beat.How to use the RICE method for treating injuries.Mooventhan A, Bharti S, Nivethitha L, Manjunath NK.Effect of ice massage to head and spine on blood pressure and heart rate variability in patients with hypertension: a pilot study.Int J Ther MassageBodywork. 2021;14(3):22-26. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v14i3.573Hsu YY, Chen CJ, Wu SH, Chen KH.Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(11-12):2455-2465. doi:10.1111/jocn.16368Rand Eye Insitute.Cold compressesSalgado PO, Silva LC, Silva PM, Chianca TC.Physical methods for the treatment of fever in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial.Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2016;50(5):823-30. doi:10.1590/S0080-623420160000600016OrthoCarolina.When to treat to pain with ice vs heat?Vargas E Silva NCO, Rubio AL, Alfieri FM.Pain tolerance: the influence of cold or heat therapy.J Chiropr Med. 2019;18(4):261-269. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2019.03.002Mount Sinai.Nosebleed.Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?.World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116Esperland D, de Weerd L, Mercer JB.Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water - a continuing subject of debate.Int J Circumpolar Health. 2022;81(1):2111789. doi:10.1080/22423982.2022.2111789Berry D, Carlson JN, Singletary E, Zideman DA, Ring J.Use of cryotherapy for managing epistaxis in the first aid setting: a scoping review.Cureus. 2021;13(5):e14832. doi:10.7759/cureus.14832Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Using cold and heat therapies information.The Ohio State University.Non-drug pain relief: heat therapy.Pizzey FK, Smith EC, Ruediger SL, et al.The effect of heat therapy on blood pressure and peripheral vascular function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Exp Physiol. 2021;106(6):1317-1334.doi:10.1113/EP089424National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Sports injuries.Johns Hopkins.Ice packs vs. warm compresses for pain.ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP.Sinus pain relief! 5 ways to ease the pain.Jones, O. TeachMe Anatomy.The paranasal sinuses.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Cold therapy (cryotherapy) for pain management,
UMPC Health Beat.How to use the RICE method for treating injuries.
Mooventhan A, Bharti S, Nivethitha L, Manjunath NK.Effect of ice massage to head and spine on blood pressure and heart rate variability in patients with hypertension: a pilot study.Int J Ther MassageBodywork. 2021;14(3):22-26. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v14i3.573
Hsu YY, Chen CJ, Wu SH, Chen KH.Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(11-12):2455-2465. doi:10.1111/jocn.16368
Rand Eye Insitute.Cold compresses
Salgado PO, Silva LC, Silva PM, Chianca TC.Physical methods for the treatment of fever in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial.Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2016;50(5):823-30. doi:10.1590/S0080-623420160000600016
OrthoCarolina.When to treat to pain with ice vs heat?
Vargas E Silva NCO, Rubio AL, Alfieri FM.Pain tolerance: the influence of cold or heat therapy.J Chiropr Med. 2019;18(4):261-269. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2019.03.002
Mount Sinai.Nosebleed.
Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?.World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116
Esperland D, de Weerd L, Mercer JB.Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water - a continuing subject of debate.Int J Circumpolar Health. 2022;81(1):2111789. doi:10.1080/22423982.2022.2111789
Berry D, Carlson JN, Singletary E, Zideman DA, Ring J.Use of cryotherapy for managing epistaxis in the first aid setting: a scoping review.Cureus. 2021;13(5):e14832. doi:10.7759/cureus.14832
Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Using cold and heat therapies information.
The Ohio State University.Non-drug pain relief: heat therapy.
Pizzey FK, Smith EC, Ruediger SL, et al.The effect of heat therapy on blood pressure and peripheral vascular function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Exp Physiol. 2021;106(6):1317-1334.doi:10.1113/EP089424
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Sports injuries.
Johns Hopkins.Ice packs vs. warm compresses for pain.
ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP.Sinus pain relief! 5 ways to ease the pain.
Jones, O. TeachMe Anatomy.The paranasal sinuses.
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