Making an Ice Pack at Home

By Rod Brouhard, About.com Guide

Updated November 10, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Tie the towel and use the ice pack. It will last more than an hour. As long as ice remains in the bag, the water will be cold. Use the ice pack along with elevating the injured extremity to reduce swelling and relieve the pain of breaks and sprains. Ice packs can also be used to treat victims of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Never leave an ice pack on for more than 20 minutes and never use the ice pack without the towel. Putting the bag of ice directly on the skin can lead to frostbite.

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• How to Make an Ice Pack
• Put Ice in the Bag
• Keep Something Between the Ice and the Skin
• Wrap the Ice Pack
• Use the Ice Pack

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