Hot Soaks ( how to use them for infections) Archives

cyst under arm

Dr Stoll,

A quick question:

I have been trying to apply the hot compresses to a cyst in my armpit - unfortunately, it gets a bit awkward, trying to do this with a wet washcloth (trying to keep the washcloth wet) - Will a dry (or even damp) compress work? - I'm thinking to warm it up in the microwave...

Pouring water on it is virtually impossible...

Thanx,

Dennis

Follow Ups:

• Re: cyst under arm (Archive under hot soaks.) HOW TO. Walt Stoll 08:53:13 8/28/03 (0)

In Reply to: cyst under arm posted by Dennis Martz on August 27, 2003 at 11:44:14:

Hi, Dennis.

The way to do this is to only use the water as hot as it comes from the faucet. Using microwave can burn you.

The folded washcloth should not be sopping wet but rung out. The only reason to let any water in the rag is to hold the heat longer. If you just let the hot water run, as soon as the rag is no longer uncomfortable you can put it back under the hot stream. Then wring it out and reapply. Once you get used to doing this the skin will not have time to cool off significantly before you can reapply the compress.

If you use two cloths, you can be heating one up while you are applying the other. That way the time between compresses is minimized.

Capice?

Walt