How to apply a warm compress
Instruction
In this topic you will learn how to apply a warm compress to a person with a lump on the eyelid.
When a person has a lump on their eyelid a warm compress can provide relief.
Prepare
You will need:
- Clean cloth
- Bowl of hot water.
Always wash and dry your hands with soap or sanitizer gel before and after applying a warm compress.
Explain
Ask the person to sit comfortably in a chair. Explain:
- You will put a warm cloth on their eye to help reduce the lump
- The person should hold it over their eye for 5-10 minutes
- They should repeat this process 2-4 times a day until the lump has gone.
Apply warm compress
- Rinse the clean cloth in hot water (avoid water that is too hot to ensure you do not burn the skin)
- Ask the person to close their eyes
- Put the warm cloth on the person’s eye and ask them to hold it in place for 5-10 minutes.
Record
Record in the Action taken section of the PEC Screen form by ticking ‘Provided warm compress’.
Activity
In pairs, practice applying a warm compress.