Tiny Hearts Education founder reveals why you should never ice bumps, bruises and burns on babies

A former paramedic has warned parents why putting a bag of frozen peas or vegetables directly on babies’ and young children’s skin to sooth a bump, bruise or burn is a bad idea. 

Nikki Jurcutz, founder of Tiny Hearts Education, said freezer items can cause damage and even frostbite on ‘delicate’ skin in a video posted to Instagram.

The mum-of-two instead recommended always covering frozen items in a dish towel to create a barrier or using a gel pack with a soft exterior that doesn’t get too cold. 

Mum-of-two and former paramedic Nikki Jurcutz (left) has warned parents against using bags of frozen peas or vegetables to treat bumps, bruises and burns on babies

The mum-of-two instead recommended always covering frozen items in a dish towel to create a barrier or using a gel pack with a soft exterior that doesn’t get too cold

‘WAIT! Before you reach for the pack of frozen peas and corn, make sure that you aren’t putting something that’s icy cold onto delicate skin!⁠’ she captioned the clip. 

She said freezer items are usually below zero degrees and can cause damage to fragile tissue, sometimes even leading to frostbite if held on the skin for too long. 

‘Instead always use a soft barrier such as a cloth or a towel,’ Nikki advised adding parents can also buy gel packs with a soft exterior that doesn’t get too cold and can be held directly on the skin. 

Freezer items can get as low as zero degrees and cause damage to fragile tissue if held on the skin for too long. Nikki recommended a gel pack with a soft exterior that doesn’t get too cold

The video received more than 262,000 views and dozens of comments from thankful parents one of whom said their own child had experienced burns from an injury being treated with ice.

‘When my son went into SVT at eight weeks old they (ED) put ice directly onto his face, he had burns for weeks. (Also, didn’t even revert),’ she said. 

Others shared their own advice with many saying they keep gel packs in the fridge rather than the freezer so they don’t get too cold.  

‘In first aid, we were taught never to put a frozen icepack (straight from freezer) on forehead or head and only a wet cold compress,’ another viewer recommended.