What is the best way to do a cold compress?

[redandunhappy]

I've been trying with those gel masks, but even from the freezer they only stay cold for about 3 minutes...

Also tried frozen peas in small bags, covered in kitchen roll - but I've been told by an optometerist that this is dangerous and too cold - I think it is a bit too cold.

So does anyone have any good suggestions?

Many thanks

[Guest]

This is what has worked extremely well for me:

Buy a package of knee-high nylon stockings.

Take one out - fill it with plain uncooked rice - use however much rice you want for desired firmness. Tie off the filled stocking at desired length, and trim off the excess.

I stick mine in a ziplock bag, and keep in the freezer. It's a bit too cold straight from the freezer though, so I typically would let it stand for a few minutes before using it.

These are great though - they can hold the cold for 10-20 minutes. (plus, they are dirt cheap to make!) If you don't feel like making your own, Rebecca sells rice baggies in her shop (no doubt they are much nicer looking than my home-made ones!)

[sandra lee]

Hi

Just wondering what the cold compress does for your symptoms.
I have been hesitant to try as I don't understand the benefit.
I have ocular rosacea and before Dr.L diagnosed me, several Opthamologists insisted I use heat(which severely aggravated my symptoms,which is supposed to thin the oils.
Wouldn't the cold compresses thicken the oils?Sorry to say I just don't understand the theory and docs don't either.
Thanks for any info you may have!!!!

[Debk]

Hi. I use cold packs to treat ocular rosacea, reducing redness and inflammation.

I was told by Dr. Latkany specifically to keep my gel eye pack in the refrigerator, not the freezer. He prescribed the refrigerated cold packs only for a minute, three times a day.

[Guest]

Several months ago, my eyes burned like mad... the cold compresses were the only thing that gave me a reprieve from it...

I haven't felt the need to use them for a few months now though because I no longer get the burning sensation as often or as intensely as before...

[Rebecca Petris]

Cold is for inflammation. Some people do both hot (for liquefying MGs) and cold (for inflammation) depending on their needs.

I can't remember who it was, Cindy or Lucy maybe, who first posted about using a ziplock baggy with crushed ice and water in it. Comfy and stays cold awhile. Rice is great too... holds both hot and cold very well.

[redandunhappy]

Great suggestions - thanks everyone.

Will be careful not to use anything straight from the freezer.

[Angela]

Great suggestions - thanks everyone.

Will be careful not to use anything straight from the freezer.

I'm reposting to this thread because I have been using cold compresses straight from the freezer for 3 months and this is the first time I am hearing that it is dangerous, does anyone know what the exact dangers are? Is it just because the eyelids are delicate or does it have to do with the eye itself? I don't think it's possible to get frost bite from using it for such a short time but maybe I'm wrong? This might sound crazy but I have even went as far as laying icecubes on my eyes out of desperation to ease the pain/burning or make my eye redness calm down. People use raw steak on black eyes, and that's straight from the freezer. I realize ice is definitely more extreme but I haven't had any problems with it so I'd like to know the exact risks that I'm taking. Thanks!