Content

• Steps
• Warning

Hot water packs are a natural and relatively safe item to keep warm or relieve pain. You can buy a hot water pack at pharmacies or medical equipment stores and it only takes a few minutes to prepare.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Fill a hot water pack with water

1. 

   Choose a hot water pack. Regardless of the brand, hot water packs are similar in design, consisting of a thick, flat bag, usually a rubber bag, and an outer cover.Some have thicker covers in different materials, so choose the one that works best for you. Be sure to buy a cover pack with a cover, as you'll need a layer of insulation between the pack and the skin.
   • Before you pour hot water into the pack, check to see if the pack is in its cover. The cover of the pack may get a little wet, but if you pour hot water into the unwrapped pack, the rubber can become too hot to hold.

2. 

   
   
   Open the pack cap. Your compress may be coated and have a stopper on top to prevent water from spilling out. Let's start by opening the stopper to fill the bag with water.
   • If there is water in the bag, make sure to empty the old water. Make the most of the heat in the bag, so cold old water is left in the bag, making it less effective.

3. 

   
   
   Heat water. You can use hot water from the tap, but usually tap water is not hot enough to fill a cold pack. On the other hand, boiled water is too hot. You should try to use water that is no more than 42 degrees Celsius.
   • If you are using a kettle, you can boil the water and let it cool for a few minutes. That way, you'll have hot water to use the pack on without getting too hot to burn your skin.
   • Water that is too hot can not only damage the skin, but also reduce the strength of the pack. The rubber material of the rubber pack cannot withstand hot water for long periods of time, so using hot water of no more than 42 degrees Celsius is the best way to increase the life of the pack.
   • Each type of pack has different temperature requirements, so you should read the product's instructions carefully before using it.

4. 

   
   
   Fill up about 2/3 of the pack with hot water. This step requires careful work; because of course you don't want to be burned by hot water. If using the kettle, pour water slowly into the ice pack until it is about 2/3 full. If you are using tap water, turn off the tap when it starts to get hot and pull the mouth of the pack into the tap. Slowly turn the faucet back on so that the water doesn't splash on your hands.
   • Be sure to hold the pack at the neck of the bag just to be sure. If you hold the pack by itself, the top of the bag may flip down before it fills up and cause hot water to overflow into your hand.
   • You can wear gloves or other object to protect your hands, in case water accidentally spills over you. You can prop it up on its own by placing other objects around - so you can pour water into the pack without fear of burning your hands.

5. 

   Remove the pack from the tap. When the pack is nearly full (don't fill the top with water, as you'll need to leave a small space to push the air out, and the water pack filled with water can easily overflow), slowly turn off the tap. Water, then carefully remove the pack, remember not to let the water overflow.
   • If using the kettle, you can put the kettle down with the other hand still holding the pack upright. Make sure not to overflow or make the bag fall back.

6. 

   Squeeze the air out of the pack. Place the pack upright, the bottom resting against the flat surface. Next, slowly press the sides of the pack to squeeze the air out. Continue pressing until you see the water rising to the top of the bag.

7. 

   Tighten the cap on the pack. After you have pushed all the air out, you can turn the pack cap back on, making sure to screw it up tightly. Turn the cap on the pack until it no longer screw, then try again by turning the bag upside down to see if water comes out.

8. 

   Place the hot water pack on the area of ​​the skin you want to apply. You can use a compress for pain relief or to warm up on a cold night. After you've poured hot water into the pack, place it in bed or place it on your skin for 20-30 minutes. It may warm up for a few minutes, but as soon as you pour in hot water it has reached its maximum temperature.
   • Make sure not to put the washcloth on your skin for more than 30 minutes. Long-term direct heat can be detrimental to you, so do your best to stay as safe as possible. If you are using a hot compress to relieve the pain but still have pain, stop using it after 30 minutes, wait about 10 minutes, then reapply.
   • If you put the pack in bed, leave it under the blanket for about 20-30 minutes before going to bed. When you go to bed, take out the compress and pour away the hot water. If you leave the pack on your bed while you sleep, you run the risk of burning or burning the sheets.

9. 

   Empty the water after using the pack. Pour the water out of the pack after it has cooled down and hang the pack upside down to dry, making sure to open the stopper. Before you reuse the pack, check for leaks or damage by pouring cold water into the bag.
   • Do not expose the pack to temperature fluctuations (such as above a stove), under a sink or in a sunny place, as changes in temperature can reduce the quality of the pack.
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Part 2 of 2: Use a hot water pack

1. 

   Soothe menstrual pain. Hot water packs are very often used to ease menstrual cramps. Heat can prevent pain signals from propagating to the brain by stimulating heat receptors in the affected area. These receptors block the recognition of pain chemicals in the body. If you have menstrual cramps, pour hot water into the pack and hold it on your abdomen for less than 30 minutes.

2. 

   Relieve back pain and other types of pain. If you have back, joint or muscle aches, a hot water pack will usually help relieve stress. Similar to the relief of menstrual pain, the heat on the affected area will stop the pain signals from reaching the brain. It also helps stimulate blood circulation to transport nutrients to help the body recover to the affected area.
   • Many times a combination of heat and cold can help relieve muscle pain. The contrast between hot and cold temperatures stimulates and produces strong sensations without much movement, and this has analgesic effects. You can either use only hot water or alternate the cold compress for a few minutes, then apply heat to the sore area.

3. 

   Headache treatment. Heat can help relieve pain and muscle tension that can cause headaches. You can place a hot water pack on your forehead, temples, or neck. Try a few places to see where it works best, then keep it there for 20-30 minutes or until the pain starts to subside.

4. 

   Warm the bed. On cold nights, a hot water pack can help keep your feet or body warm. Place a pack at the end of the bed near your feet or under a blanket near the bed to warm the bed. Hot water packs are also very helpful if you are sick and your body temperature changes frequently. advertisement

Warning

• When using a hot water pack, follow safe instructions for use to avoid hurting yourself or others.
• Do not put pressure on the pack while it is hot. For example, do not sit or lie on the pack. If you need a back pack, try lying on your stomach or on your side. You can also place the compress on the sore area and wrap it around with a cloth to keep it in place.
• Avoid using compresses for babies or babies, as they can be too hot for a child's skin.
• If you have sensitive skin, use extreme caution when using hot water packs. Try starting with the lowest temperature, then gradually increase if possible.
• Never use a hot water pack if you suspect the bag is leaking or damaged. Always try cold water first, and if in doubt do not try. Buy a new pack if you feel a problem.
• Tap water pouring into the pack can damage the pack more quickly because of the chemicals in it. If you want to keep the strength of the pack, try purified water instead of tap water.
• Some hot water packs can be microwave, but you should always check the packaging first. Many packs cannot be heated in the microwave or on the stove.