Eli5 why do doctors say not to apply ice directly to the skin and to wrap in a towel but doctors also recommend athletes regularly take ice baths?

Question

Eli5 why do doctors say not to apply ice directly to the skin and to wrap in a towel but doctors also recommend athletes regularly take ice baths?

In: 5

Answer 1

Ice applied directly to the skin can cause a frost burn ice baths are water with a lot of ice in it and towels protect from direct contact.