MEDICAL ICE PACK

ICE PACK
Ice pack is a local application of ice over a body segment.

Effects:
1. Relieves pain.
2. Prevents or lessen black and blue discoloration due to capillary bleeding.
3. Stops bleeding especially if applied with pressure.
4. Prevents and reduces swelling.
5. Decrease blood flow to the area.
6. Constricts blood vessels, therefore, decreases tendency to bleeding.

Things Needed:
1. Two bath towels.
2. Two safety pins.
3. Finely crushed ice-amount depends on the size of the area to be treated.
4. A piece of flannel cloth or baby’s blanket.
5. A piece of plastic.

Procedure:
1. Spread the finely crushed ice on the bath towel, forming a layer about one inch thick. Adjust the surface area as needed for the affected part. Wrap the ice and secure it with safety pins.
2. Wrap the area or joint with flannel cloth or towel and place the ice pack, following the contour of the area.
3. Never apply an ice pack directly on the skin. Cover the packed ice with plastic and secure carefully to prevent the bed from getting wet.
4. Treatment time: 30 minutes to one hour. If there is a burning sensation during the ice pack application, the ice pack is not well insulated. Add insulator or add towel flannel cloth.
5. To end treatment, remove the pack, dry the area and observe reaction. Treatment may be repeated after two hours in acute injuries to relieve pain and swelling.
6. Cover or bandage area to avoid chilling, especially in acute sprain ankles.

MEDICAL STARCH BATH FOR PATIENTS

STARCH BATH
Starch Bath
Immersion bath in starchy water for a soothing effect.

Effects:
1. Relieves skin irritation.
2. Soothes burning and itching sensations.
3. Tendency to dry skin.

Things Needed:
1. Bathtub. For babies, big basin may be used.
2. Big drum or plastic water container for adults, big enough to soak the whole body.
3. Two glasses of starch for adult. Half glass for babies and children.
4. One bath towel.
5. Face towel.

Procedure:
1. Fill up the tub 2/3 full with warm water. Water should be deep enough to immerse the affected areas. Use bathtub if whole body is affected.
2. Melt the starch in cold water in a small basin. Mix well the melted starch into the tub water.
3. Undress the patient and assist him into the tub.
4. With face towel, bathe the parts not immersed. Wet the head or hair if the scalp is affected. Immerse patient for 20 minutes, but do not rub him with towel.
5. After 20 minutes, drain the water and pat dry the patient with use soap even for washing hands, unless the physician orders a specific soap.
6. Keep patient warm and avoid chilling.
7. Give daily bath or twice a day, depending upon the patient’s condition.

SKIN ALLERGY AND ITCHINESS

SKIN ITCHINESS AND ALLEGY
An allergy is a condition of acquired specific alteration, which may be caused by sensitization and exposure to an allergen. Skin itchiness may be due to contact with allergen.

Water Treatment
1. Starch bath. You may use kamoteng kahoy flour for this.
2. Gawgaw or starch powder. Use powder after taking a bath or at bedtime.

Herbal Medication
1. Kakawate or madre de cacao leaves. Crush or chop young leaves and extract the juice. Apply the juice on the skin until itchiness is relieved.
2. Kalatsutsi or graveyard flower sap from leaves or barks. Extract the sap or juice from the leaves and trunk. Mix with coconut oil. Rub the mixture on the affected skin, 2 times a day.
3. Kanya Pistula or golden shower leaves. Rub the crushed leaves on the affected area until relieved from itchiness.