COOL PACKS & SKIN SAFETY
A cover between
the cold and your skin.
A wrapped cool pack can provide temporary comfort. It is not a diagnosis or a reason to ignore an injury that needs assessment. Cooling does not have to be intense to be useful, and more cold is not necessarily better.
Start with a short, protected application.
- Use a cold pack designed for the purpose and follow its directions. Check that the pack is not leaking or damaged.
- Wrap it in a towel or the cover specified by the manufacturer. Never place ice or a frozen pack directly on skin.
- Use a short session within the recommended time and check the skin at least every five minutes, or sooner if it feels uncomfortable. Do not hold it down with a tight wrap.
- Remove it if skin becomes painful, blotchy or excessively numb. Let the skin return to normal before another application.
Skip it when you cannot monitor it.
Do not use cold over broken skin or areas with reduced sensation or circulation. Ask a healthcare professional if a health condition affects your skin or your response to cold. Stay awake and able to check and remove the pack.
New unexplained swelling, severe pain or loss of normal movement needs advice, not repeated cooling to mask it.