How do I reduce swelling in my fingers fast?
How do I reduce swelling in my fingers fast?
Treatment
- Apply ice for 15 minutes each hour to bring down the swelling. If you don’t have ice, you can soak the finger in cold water instead.
- Keep your finger elevated above chest level.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) to ease any discomfort.
Why is it important to keep swelling down?
Swelling is the result of the increased movement of fluid and white blood cells into the injured area. The release of chemicals and the compression of nerves in the area of injury cause pain. The pain and swelling can keep the athlete from using the injured part, serving to protect it from further injury.
How does cold reduce swelling?
How it works. Cold therapy is also known as cryotherapy. It works by reducing blood flow to a particular area, which can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain, especially around a joint or a tendon. It can temporarily reduce nerve activity, which can also relieve pain.
Is icing an injury still recommended?
Some experts and research organizations who acknowledge the lack of high-quality data in support of ice nevertheless maintain that it’s an important tool for athletes. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the National Institutes of Health both recommend icing for sports injuries.
How many days should you ice a sprain?
Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48 hours or until swelling improves. If you use ice, be careful not to use it too long, as this could cause tissue damage. Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage.
Does icing prevent healing?
FALSE. There is no direct evidence that icing reduces the healing process. In contrast, research supports the fact that ice does not impede healing (Vieira Ramos et al. 2016).