The difference between hot and cold compresses on the eyes, essential knowledge, you should know!

Hot compress is a method of covering a local area to warm it and produce a therapeutic effect. Hot compress method is to use hot air to apply to the eyes to eliminate eye fatigue, drive away sleepiness, promote blood circulation in the eyes, and can relieve eye swelling (eye bags) caused by lack of sleep. So what is the difference between hot compress and cold compress?

About hot compress

Hot compresses are mainly used to relieve chronic pain, stimulate blood circulation, and relax muscles and activate blood circulation. It works by increasing the temperature and blood flow of tissues in the human body, attracting additional nutrients into the painful area to enhance metabolism and the phagocytic function of white blood cells.

However, hot compresses should never be used for acute injuries. Because when heat enters human tissue along the flowing medium in the human body, it will aggravate swelling and inflammation. So do not attempt to use heat to dilate blood vessels unless under the supervision of your healthcare practitioner. Secondly, do not use heat before strenuous exercise. Because your muscles will affect your exercise results due to excessive relaxation.

For myopic eyes, hot compresses can promote blood circulation around the eyes, relieve symptoms of eye fatigue, increase the temperature of the eyes, and help the absorption of artificial tears. If patients with dry eyes can persist, it will also be of great help in alleviating discomfort.

There is also a more high-tech and effective method, which is to wear a hot moxibustion eye-brightening device.

The hot moxibustion eye-brightening instrument is a physical therapy for internal causes and pathological changes. The hot moxibustion eye-brightening instrument adopts the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. When the instrument is working, hot moxibustion therapy directly improves blood circulation in the eyes, and adjusts the physiological balance of nutrition and metabolism of various tissue structures in the eyes through physical therapy of acupuncture points around the eyes for about 15 minutes, improves blood circulation index, restores vitality of various tissues in the eyes, and improves microcirculation, thereby achieving fundamental physical therapy for the eyes, and has a very good effect on removing dark circles and bags under the eyes.

Notes on hot compress:

1. The best hot compress time should be between 20 and 25 minutes. Because the heat from hot compress takes at least 15 minutes to enter human tissue and exert its therapeutic effect.

2. The best temperature is the one that the back of your hand can tolerate. (Remember to boil/soak the hot towel in boiling water to achieve anti-inflammatory and sterilization effects)

3. Hot compress can be divided into dry hot compress and wet hot compress. Among them, wet hot compress has stronger thermal penetration and has a significant effect on reducing congestion of soft tissue in the neck, relieving muscle spasms, and pain caused by stiffness.

4. People who should use hot compress: those with myopia, allergic conjunctivitis, mild trachoma, people who work with computers for a long time, and people who are prone to visual fatigue.

About cold compress

Cold compress (cold treatment) is the first choice for treating acute injuries. When the body is injured, immediate cold treatment of the wound can effectively reduce skin tissue damage and reduce the complications of inflammation. Cold treatment can also relieve muscle cramps, reduce post-exercise pain, and improve blood circulation.

Similarly, cold compresses are not suitable for people with sensitive skin or poor blood circulation. The elderly, children and people with diabetes also need to be particularly cautious with cold treatments.

Notes on cold compress:

1. For acute trauma or subacute injury, the wound can only be treated with cold treatment within three days after the injury.

2. The duration of treatment depends on several factors, including the size of the treatment area, the different treatment methods, and individual differences.

3. For acute injuries, the shortest time for cold treatment is 10 to 20 minutes.

4. In order to reduce muscle soreness after exercise, it is recommended to apply cold compress to the skin 10-20 minutes after exercise.

5. For chronic discomfort, such as colds, you can also choose repeated cold treatment for a minimum of 10 minutes.

6. If you have a low fever, are allergic to ice, or you often feel cold, it is recommended to put a towel on the cold compress when doing cold treatment.