Should I use hot or cold compress for redness and swelling

Many people are confused about how to deal with skin redness and swelling caused by collisions, because some people recommend hot compresses while others recommend cold compresses. In fact, both methods are correct, but they need to be used interchangeably. However, most people do not particularly understand how to apply hot compress or cold compress. Today we will introduce how to deal with redness and swelling when it occurs, to help the red and swollen skin subside quickly.

It is inevitable to have bumps and bruises in life, and if you are not careful you may end up with a part of your body becoming red and swollen. If this is the case, is hot compress or cold compress better for reducing swelling? Not only should you use hot and cold compresses reasonably, but you should also use them in conjunction with ointments, so that the effect will be better. Here I will introduce to you how to quickly reduce swelling.

First, cold compress should be applied on the first day

If the swelling happens on the first day, we must remember that what we need most at this time is cold compress. Cold compress can reduce swelling and relieve pain very well, and can ensure that the swollen part will not be as terrible as a steamed bun. However, cold compress is usually applied for 24 hours. If you apply it after this period of time, it will not have much effect.

Second, hot compress should be applied on the second day

On the second day after the swelling starts, the swelling on the face will subside a little due to ice compress, but there will still be blood stasis that has not completely dissipated. The reason for the swelling is precisely because these blood stasis have not dissipated. Heat energy accelerates the body's metabolism and can also speed up blood circulation, which naturally does a good job in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. So on the second day after the swelling occurs, we should not apply cold compress, but hot compress.

Third, apply ointment afterwards

We should apply ointment the next day after cold compress. If you feel uncomfortable during cold compress, remember to apply ointment after each hot compress. This will allow the local blood stasis to dissipate faster and the swollen area to heal faster.

So, to reduce swelling, should we use hot compress or cold compress? We can try the three methods introduced above, and our swollen area will get better as quickly as possible.