ouchie ankle!
The Housemate has a swollen, painful ankle that is hot to the touch and won't bear weight. We are going with RICE for now, and if there is no improvement when I get home from work I'll take her to the doctor's. Until then - any suggestions? Any advice on use of a bandage? She has one wrapped around the ankle right now to prevent her from accidentally turning it and hurting, but neither of us have expertise in how to treat a sprained ankle.
no subject
In short: support it (lace up boots or similar if they can go on and off without tugging), don't walk on it if you can avoid it (but gentle flexing is good so long as it is really gentle - move it as much as it will let you without pain), elevate it as much as possible, ice it (bags of frozen peas are amazing for this), gentle compression (elastic tube bandage) during the day only, for up to three days.
No heat, massage, cardiovascular exercise or alcohol, again for up to three days.
Paracetemol and/or codeine are the recommended pain blockers, avoid ibuprofene and similar for at least 48 hours.
I did my wrist last winter, so...