Cold packs are a common application of cryotherapy, otherwise known as cold therapy. These tools are frequently used to address discomfort stemming from inflammation, making them a popular recovery option following surgeries, injuries, or chronic conditions.
Given the prevalence of inflammation, it may be useful to understand what exactly cold packs are, why people use them, and what risks are associated with their use.
What are Cold Packs?
Cold packs are as they sound: some form of bag or press designed to cool down the body where applied. These are just one form of cold therapy, as other options include ice massages, ice baths, coolant sprays, and more. Cold packs are typically more accessible, however, as they can be as simple as a frozen bag of peas or as complex as reusable cooling gel.
Regardless of their form, cold packs are intended to cool down the area of the body they are applied to. This practice is meant to numb nerves and narrow blood vessels near the skin, potentially reducing pain and impeding blood flow to areas of inflammation.
Common Uses and Best Practices
Cold packs are most often used to treat injuries like sprain or strain, as these injuries often cause swelling and localized pain. Harvard Health states applying cold may “reduce swelling by slowing cell activity, constricting blood vessels, and blocking the release of chemicals known as histamines” as well as “decrease pain by numbing the area.”
As useful as cold packs can be for some users, there are several practices to keep in mind to avoid aggravating the issues they are intended to help with. For instance, while causing numbness may help reduce pain, doing so for too long or doing so improperly could damage the affected area. As such, users should only apply cold packs for around 15 to 20 minutes at a time and should always wrap their cold packs in a towel or other piece of cloth to avoid frostbite.
Types of Cold Packs
Different types of cold packs have advantages and disadvantages over one another and vary in usefulness depending on factors like activation time and reusability.
Instant cold packs are often the most transportable option and can be seen in first aid kits. They also activate quickly and without much difficulty, as most instant cold packs simply require that the user strike and shake the pack before use. They tend to last for about 20 minutes at most, making them best suited for emergencies. Since they rely on a chemical reaction to activate, instant cold packs can only be used once.
Gel cold packs are better suited for at-home use as they require at least two hours in a freezer to be used for cold therapy. They otherwise behave like a standard cold pack, offering reusability provided they are properly maintained.
Clay cold packs operate similarly to gel packs in that they need to be kept in a freezer to become usable for cold therapy. Given their greater size and density, however, clay packs usually have to stay in the freezer for at least four hours. While this added wait time can be inconvenient, clay packs also stay cold for longer than gel packs, making them useful for long-term home treatment.
Making the Right Choice
While most cold packs are used to address the same problems regardless of their type, differences in duration and reusability make recognizing those differences worthwhile.
Cold packs are by no means a miracle cure and are not a substitute for doctor-recommended treatments, but as far as home remedies go, some consider cold packs a potentially accessible means of relieving minor pain and inflammation.
FAQs
Q: Are cold packs safe?
A: Yes, provided users apply them for no longer than 20 minutes and have some form of cloth barrier keeping the cold pack from making direct contact with skin.
Q: Why do people use cold packs?
A: Cold packs are most often used to treat pain and discomfort stemming from swelling and inflammation.
Q: Does it matter what kind of cold pack you use?
A: Yes. Cold packs can vary in reusability and duration depending on what they use as their cooling medium.
