user: One of those bits of “old-time” wisdom that still circulates today is the idea that it is better to clean a small cut, then let it “air out” and scab over.  Like putting butter on a burn or tilting your head back during a nosebleed, however, this is false.  Small wounds actually heal better in a moist environment, in which blood vessels regenerate faster and inflammation-causing cells multiply more slowly.  So, preventing scab formation actually aids the healing process.  It may be no surprise that the company behind Band-Aids promotes covering cuts and scrapes instead of airing them out, but they have science on their side. Sometimes the worst part of pulling away a bandage is not the sticky adhesive, but dried blood / scabbing that pulls away with the bandage and reopens the wound.  Proper preparation can make this less likely.  Stop the bleeding of a minor cut or scrape by applying pressure with gauze, a paper towel, a clean cloth, etc.  Apply gentle pressure for up to 15 minutes, until all bleeding has stopped. For a large cut or wound, an excessively dirty wound, or a wound that won't stop bleeding, get medical help. Rinse the area with clean water and gently clean the wound with soap and water.  Rinse again and pat dry with a clean cloth, etc.  Don't use hydrogen peroxide or one of those old wound cleaners your grandfather swore by -- just plain old soap and water. Hydrogen peroxide and iodine can irritate an injury. Antibiotic ointments have shown little evidence in helping wounds heal faster, but they do help keep the wound moist and make sticking less likely upon bandage removal.  That said, plain old petroleum jelly will provide the same moistening / lubricating benefit.  Apply a small dab only over the wound itself, so the bandage will stick where it should. Choose a bandage that is large enough so that the pad (the part that isn't sticky) covers the entire wound with a little room to spare.  Try not to touch the pad when applying to reduce infection chances.  Especially when wrapping a bandage around a finger (or a larger bandage wrap around an arm or leg), make it tight enough to stay in place and prevent a gap between pad and wound, but not so tight that it hampers blood flow.  If your finger tingles or turns purple-ish, it's too tight. Apply a new bandage if the old one gets saturated with water or dirty. If you need to apply a bandage to a hairy area -- for a man, an arm or leg, or even chest or back -- you may want to prevent the inevitable pain of the bandage being stuck to your hair by removing the hair first.  Use warm water, a fresh, clean razor, and don't shave over the wound itself. Unless you want to have patchy hairless spots along with your small scars, you probably should try the other bandage removal procedures discussed in this article before resorting to this step. Bandage removal is not just an annoyance -- some 1.5 million people in the U.S. annually, mostly infants and the elderly with sensitive skin, suffer scarring or irritation from bandage removal.  However, new bandages are being developed that sandwich a “quick-release” layer between the backing and dissolvable adhesive. So, perhaps painful bandage removals will be a thing of the past soon.
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One-sentence summary -- Don't avoid removing a bandage by not using one. Prepare wounds properly for bandaging. Consider moistening the wound to inhibit sticking. Cover the wound with a bandage. Get out your razor, if necessary. Have faith in medical science.


Ice baths may help you get a burst of energy or might help you improve your mood. However, they aren’t appropriate for everyone, especially if you have an underlying health condition. Talk to your doctor about why you want to try cold therapy and if it’s right for you. For instance, taking ice baths can be dangerous if you have a heart condition. Your doctor can help you determine if you have any risks that might make it harmful to take an ice bath. Don’t fill up your tub because the ice and your body will raise the volume of the water. Turn on the faucet that controls the cold water and wait for the water to rise about halfway up the tub. Then, switch off the water faucet. Use cold water because warm water will melt your ice too quickly. Use store-bought ice or ice from your freezer, whichever is most convenient to you. Drop a few handfuls of ice in the tub, then check the temperature with a thermometer. Continue to add ice in small amounts until the water reaches about 68 °F (20 °C). If you like, it’s okay to lower your temperature so that it’s colder. However, don’t lower it below 55 °F (13 °C), which can harm your skin or your health. Sit back against the back of your tub and try to enjoy your soak. Breathe slowly in and out, drawing the air deep into your lungs. You might also count your breaths to help you relieve any tension in your body. Set a timer for 5 minutes and try to stay in the bath until it goes off. Get out of the bath early if you feel too uncomfortable or feel like your heart is racing. Don’t push your body further than it’s ready to go. You can still get the benefits you want without soaking in a tub. Instead, stand under a cold shower for at least a minute. If you can stand it, stay under the water for a full 3 minutes. For a daily energy boost, end your morning shower with a blast of cold water. Take your bath or shower early in the morning to improve your mood for that day. If you like, take another bath or shower later in the day. Continue using it as long as you feel like it’s helping you have more energy or to cope with your anxiety or depression. Cold therapy isn’t a substitute for working with a therapist or taking medication for anxiety or depression. Don’t stop any of your prescribed treatments unless your doctor says it’s okay.
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One-sentence summary --


assistant: Check with your doctor before using cold therapy to treat yourself. Fill your tub halfway with cold water. Add ice to lower the temperature to about 68 °F (20 °C). Relax in the tub for about 5 minutes by taking slow, deep breaths. Take a 1-3 minute cold shower for an easier option. Use cold therapy once or twice a day to improve your mood.