How to Treat Ice Burns on Skin
For an ice burn (cold-induced injury without freezing), immediately remove the ice source, gently rewarm the affected area with lukewarm water (not hot), apply a petrolatum-based ointment or antibiotic cream, and cover with a clean non-adherent dressing. 1, 2, 3
Immediate First Aid
- Remove the ice source immediately to prevent further tissue damage 1
- Gently rewarm the affected skin using lukewarm tap water (15° to 25°C) for 5-20 minutes—this is the same temperature range recommended for thermal burns and helps restore normal tissue temperature without causing additional injury 1, 3
- Do not use hot water or direct heat sources, as the damaged tissue is vulnerable to further thermal injury 4
- Never apply ice or continue cold exposure, as this will worsen tissue ischemia and can cause deeper injury 1, 5
Wound Care After Rewarming
- Clean the area gently with tap water or isotonic saline to remove any debris 1, 3
- Apply a petrolatum-based product or topical antibiotic ointment (such as polymyxin) to keep the wound moist and support healing 2, 3
- Cover loosely with a clean, non-adherent dressing to reduce pain, protect from contamination, and prevent heat loss 1, 2, 3
- Leave any blisters intact—do not break them, as intact blisters improve healing and reduce pain 1
Pain Management
- Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (12 mg/kg body weight twice daily) can help manage pain and may inhibit prostaglandin-mediated inflammation 6
- For severe pain, seek medical attention for prescription analgesics 1
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
- Burns with blisters or broken skin require medical evaluation 2
- Burns to the face, hands, feet, or genitals need specialist assessment 2, 3
- Signs of infection including increasing pain, redness, swelling, or purulent discharge 3
- Full-thickness injury (white, waxy, or leathery appearance) requires emergency care 2
- Difficulty breathing or systemic symptoms warrant immediate emergency evaluation 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not apply butter, oil, or other home remedies—these can trap heat and increase infection risk 2
- Do not use very cold water (2°C) or ice for rewarming—while some cooling is beneficial for thermal burns, ice burns require gentle rewarming, not further cold exposure 5
- Avoid silver sulfadiazine for superficial injuries, as prolonged use delays healing 1, 2, 3
- Do not delay medical attention if the injury appears more than superficial 2