Ice for injuries

Specialties School

Published

Specializes in School Nurse.

Do any of you have good EB research article/link addressing when ice should be used for an injury. It seems like I have read that ice is only beneficial 24-48 hours after the initial injury and only if swelling is present, but I can't seem to find a good article backing that up. Thanks!

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Here's blog post that I came across. He sites his sources! The research actually finds that icing may not be the best thing to do. But little kids sure think it works miracles!

http://www.howardluksmd.com/orthopedic-social-media/ice-ice/

ETA- the correct link

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That being said, I give ice for visible injuries. If there's no mark, no redness, no swelling, no bruise-then I probably won't give ice. If it's older than 48, no ice. If it happened over the weekend and you didn't ice it at home, no ice.

I use magic boo cream for my littles that think everything needs ice; refrigerated aloe for the win.

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Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

Mmm, I like the aloe idea...

I have tried over and over again to talk kids who have old injuries out of ice. But when the teacher tells them to go to the nurse "and maybe get some ice or something" I get tired of arguing and just give the ice. My ice packs only stay cold for about 10 minutes, and unless I think it will cause harm I hand it over. I have the "if you didn't ice it at home the last three days why do you need to ice it at school" discussion but seriously...aside from the fact that my ice packs are rapidly disappearing, it's harmless.

My own kids go for the freezer as soon as they hear a thud in the house LOL

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when I worked at camp, I used the little paper cups to make a small ice cube, that wrapped in a paper towel (and maybe a baggie if you have a stock of them) when it melts, it's gone and they move on

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I stopped giving ice packs out for minor bumps and old injuries unless I have a doctors order to provide one. I explain the body's natural healing process and they surprisingly accept it and go back to class. We have an issue with a high volume of unnecessary visits and this is the one area I feel I can proactively cut down by not doling out a reward every time. They only take one back to class (rather than using for 5 mins in my office) if it's a bee sting. Other injuries go home if still painful and significant enough to need ice.”

thank you for the article BeckyESRN! I'm interested in reading more on the subject.

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Specializes in School nursing.

If I don't give out ice, the students will keep getting back for it. It does not matter that they don't need it or that I tell teachers they don't need it. They will ask again and again until they get it. Easier to just give it sometimes, though I try and educate.

But this is why I asked for a small ice machine vs. my reusable ice packs. Which never got returned. Or had holes poked in them. I love my middle school students, but sometimes....

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i don't allow my ice packs to leave my office unless there is a good reason. Since i've started this personal policy, i've noticed 2 things - 1 is that i lose a lot less ice packs, the other is that the average time of use is about 3 minutes. I don't push the kids to leave unless they come up on the 15-20 minutes

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Kids like ice.

It's the little things.

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Specializes in kids.
Kids like ice.

It's the little things.

I do too, especially when it is in a glass...with a beverage for adults only...

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Specializes in School nursing.
Kids like ice.

It's the little things.

They like to eat it. Meh. At least it will hydrate them.

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Kids like ice.

It's the little things.

New shirt

Kids like ice with the shrug emoji on the front and It's the little things on the back

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