is it b/c you can get frostbite and/or mess up your skin tissues and such?
what happens if you go longer?
I dont want to screw up my knee. I completely tore my ACL and I have to ice it to make the swelling go down, so I can have surgery soon. So how come ppl told me not to ice it for more than 20 min, and the internet said the same..so why?
2006-09-29 07:55:27 · 9 answers · asked by obviousheap 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
i would appreciate if ppl would be serious on here
eh hem billy..what the crap? im not a guy and i dont really want to here your story about your "balls" falling off
sounds like a personal problem to me....
but thanks to the others that answered with real answers. I greatly appreciate guys. Thanks
2006-09-29 08:01:16 · update #1
There's a phenomenon called the Hunting response. After about 20 minutes of ice, the body will think that it is freezing or getting frostbite so it will send more blood to try to warm the area. This will actually increase the swelling. Also, after the area is numb, there isn't much else the ice will do. Good luck with your ACL...
2006-09-29 15:48:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes frostbite is the right answer. I was actually told 10-15 minutes on and 10-15 minutes off.
2006-09-29 08:19:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ice pack is so cold that it can damage the skin tissue, also be sure to wrap the ice pack in a paper towel.
2006-09-29 07:59:01 · answer #3 · answered by darlin_jj 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you nailed it, it's because you can damage the surface tissue... for sprains/strains it's suggested you use the RICE method
Rest.. stay off of it
Ice... ice for 20 minutes on followed by at least 10 minutes off
Compression.. wrap the area with an ace bandage (not too tight)
Elevation.. keep it level with your heart to reduce swelling.
2006-09-29 07:58:37 · answer #4 · answered by pip 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the area is cold it slows down the blood flow in that area. You don't want to slow circulation in the area you want to heal. Try the new patches for pain relief. The warming ones are great.
2006-09-29 07:59:20 · answer #5 · answered by someones sister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I know from personal experience the dangers of using an ice pack for too long...
One day, my balls just fell off in my hand. I was like, "OH MY GOD...MY BALLS JUST CAME OFF!!!...IN MY FRIGGIN' HAND."
It's really dangerous...once your balls fall off, you are never quite the same. But being without balls ain't so bad...
2006-09-29 07:58:45 · answer #6 · answered by Billy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're exactly right -- the cold can damage the tissue of your skin.
2006-09-29 07:56:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ice will melt...so I don't think it would be as effective after 20 minutes.
2006-09-29 07:57:08 · answer #8 · answered by Huliganjetta 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
BILLY!!! ROFLMAO!!!!! u crazy man...lol too funny, thanx for making me laugh
2006-09-29 08:10:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋