Hot Packs

There are many medical conditions that can be effectively treated with the proper application of either heat or cold. The raising or lowering of the tissue in certain parts of the body can effect changes in how these parts react and heal. Because of this, there are many styles and manufacturers of hot and cold packs for many uses.

The chemicals in the average hot pack are a combination of calcium chloride or magnesium sulfate. These chemicals, when dissolved in water release a lot of heat. The hot packs that use these chemicals are disposable as you have to break a seal between the chemical and the water supply to use them. They reach an average heat of about 90 degrees and can maintain this warmth for up to twenty minutes. Some of the uses of these hot packs are for relief of pain in arthritis cases and rheumatism in the joints or pain in the vertebrae of the back. They are also effective for the relief of pain due to strains of the lumbar and other major muscle groups, for dysmenorroea, chronic ulcers and sciatica. Some hot packs, especially those made to treat the neck are filled with grains of wheat or rice. When heated, the water in these grains warms up and will retain their heat for a good while, These hot packs are usually flexible so they can be wrapped around the affected area. Safety precautions must be used with these types of hot packs as you can accidentally warm the water in the grains to the boiling pint and inflict burns upon the skin if care is not taken. Non medically, hot packs can be carried in emergency first aid kits and be used as hand and foot warmers in wintry conditions.

Cold packs have been effectively used to reduce the pain of headaches, fevers, toothaches, and heatstroke. Athletes often use cold packs to reduce the swelling in joints from strains and sprains. Cold packs can slow bleeding in cut injuries. They are useful for tightening and toning the skin in cosmetic beauty treatments. Inside the average disposable cold pack you will find the chemical ammonium nitrate. When the seal is broken between the ammonium nitrate and the water, the resultant dissolving of the chemical will lower the temperature of the cold pack to as much as zero degrees Celsius (the freezing point of water). Use care with these cold packs to prevent freeze damage to the skin.

In many of the reusable cold packs you find for sale to keep coolers chilled without ice, they are filled with mostly water that is contained in a plastic strong enough to resist bursting when the water expands in the freezing process.