why do we put ice packs on swelling wounds if swelling is supposed to help you
2006-07-02 11:58:39 · 14 answers · asked by dbmistry88 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
It slows up the internal bleeding.
2006-07-02 12:01:58 · answer #1 · answered by kimmyisahotbabe 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Blood is what causes swelling. By putting ice on the swelling it constricts the flow of blood to the area, thereby reducing the swelling. In most cases, swelling is not supposed to help you, i.e. brain swelling.
2006-07-02 12:02:54 · answer #2 · answered by animalcrackers31 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
LOOK swelling is a sign of trouble. And ice packs retards the swelling.
2006-07-02 12:02:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swelling causes a lack of oxygen to local tissues which creates cellular damage. Ice decreases swelling and bleeding by causing a constriction of blood vessels; thereby, minimizing the damage. Pain is relieved directly by its effect on pain receptors and indirectly by a decrease in swelling.
2006-07-02 12:06:21 · answer #4 · answered by Mark 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swelling is the result of an accumulation of blood in a certain area due to injury. An ice pack held against that area helps to disperse that blood I think. You want to heat pack as well immediately after you icepack in order to get the "good" blood circulating in that area.
2006-07-02 12:03:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some swelling is good, but ice packs reduce any unnecessary swelling.
2006-07-02 14:59:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ice constricts the blood vessels and shrinks the inflammed area, thus reducing swelling. Swelling just a reation to a trauma, reducing it a bit isn't bad, and usually feels better.
2006-07-02 12:04:46 · answer #7 · answered by sarozsi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because even though swelling is a part of healing, it hurts, and "we" hate pain. Too much swelling for too long is not good either.
Cold reduces blood flow as capillaries contract (I believe), and thus doesn't stop the swelling, just slows it down.
2006-07-02 12:02:32 · answer #8 · answered by Pegasus90 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice constricts the blood vessels which slows blood going to a site, thus ice on an injury such as sprained ankle will swell less if iced and elevated.
20 mins on, 20 mins off is recommended to avoid ice burn (frost bite)
2006-07-02 12:05:49 · answer #9 · answered by dustiiart 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
swelling occurs when the body rushes blood to an injured area but with swelling constriction occurs and with ice it slows the process down and allows more blood to move thru the injured area.
2006-07-02 12:07:21 · answer #10 · answered by aughtnine 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It minimizes the swelling by causing the capillaries to constrict so that not as much blood flows to the injury.
Who told you that swelling is supposed to help you.
2006-07-02 12:02:34 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋