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Do you apply a chemical ice pack to an eye injury or not?
Cold applications to the structures around the eye may reduce pain and swelling due to injuries or some disease processes. However, before using a chemical ice pack out of the freezer, wrap it in a small wet towel so that a few layers of cloth are between the ice pack and the skin. Applying the chemical ice pack directly onto the closed eyelids could cause localized frostbite.
Answered by: Lee Duffner, MD
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Answered: Nov 23, 2010
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