How To Make A Compress
Dry warm compresses include rubber-made hot water bottles, heating pads, salt bags, rice bags, and other such hot packs that transfer dry heat to the affected site. Instead of a towel, gather some uncooked rice and a clean, long sock. You can use salt if you don’t have any rice on hand. You’ll also need a source of heat, such as a microwave.
Traditionally, a plug in heating pad has been used in the place of a dry rice or salt compress.
Instructions
Once you have all of your materials, follow these steps:
- Fill the foot part of the sock with uncooked rice.
- Tie off the top of the sock.
- Place the sock full of rice in the microwave for 30 seconds up to 3 minutes. Continue heating it in 15-second increments until it feels warm, but not hot, to the touch.
- Apply the sock to the painful area for up to 20 minutes at a time.
If you only need to use the heat on a small area, you can also hold a metal spoon under hot running water for about 10 seconds, or until it heats up. Dry off the spoon and hold it to the painful area for up to 20 minutes. Just make sure it’s not too hot before you apply it to your skin.
Use warm dry compresses for the earaches or toothaches or body aches that are not acute, piecing or constant because they could be signs of other problems that a compress cannot solve.
