Compresses are bandages consisting of several layers of hydrophilic material, which are most often used with a curative purpose as an emergency aid or as an adjunct to basic therapy. In view of the availability and ease of use, compresses are widely used in home treatment. There are several types of compresses, differing in the rules of setting, the mechanism of action and purpose.
What are the compresses?
Let's consider briefly the main types of compresses:
- Dry - to protect the wound or damaged surface of the skin, mucous membranes from external factors (cold, pollution, etc.), as well as for suctioning the discharge from the wound (often a bandage of sterile gauze and cotton wool).
- Wet cold - for narrowing blood vessels, reducing the sensitivity of nerve endings, local lowering of tissue temperature, limiting the inflammatory process with bruises , fractures, bleeding, etc. (a cloth impregnated with cold water and wrung out, or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth).
- Wet hot - for local strengthening of blood circulation, as a resorptive, anesthetic, distracting remedy in the presence of local inflammatory foci, with spasms, etc. (tissue impregnated with hot water and wrung out).
- Wet warming - to reduce swelling, inflammation, spasms, pain relief from joint diseases, inflammation of internal organs, second stage of treatment of injuries, etc. (a cloth impregnated with warm water and wrung out, covered with oilcloth and material, which conducts heat poorly).
- Medicinal - with the use of various drugs that impregnate gauze or other material (alcohol solutions, camphor oil , a variety of ointments, etc.).