nortos's Full Review: Thera Medium Cold Pack 1 Per Package
I purchased a box of Thera-Med Instant Cold Pack, Twin Pack last Fall 2003 so I would be prepared for my sons up and coming Fall and Spring baseball seasons. Luckily we went the fall and spring seasons without any injuries so the Thera-Med Packs remained in the back of my Lincoln, fall, winter and spring along with the teams first aid kit.
In the summer of 2004 however, we did have an injury on the baseball team that required an ice pack. I retrieved the Thera-Med Cold Pack from the car, opened the box, followed the directions on the box and found that the cold pack itself was kind of shriveled up with no way of squeezing it to break the inner water pack to make it cold. The only thing I could figure out is that the changes in the temperature in my Lincoln during the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons must have affected the Cold Pack.
I looked on the box and found no instructions on not leaving it in the car or that outside temperature changes would affect it. However, under the directions for use on the ice pack itself it does read "For best results pack should be store at room temperature." So this first pack I tossed out and went and purchased another Thera-Med Twin Pack. This time however, I kept the Pack in the house figuring I will carry it with me to the games instead of leaving in the Lincoln. (I also sent an email to the company suggesting the list the room temperature storage suggestion on the box, since most people don't open up a product like this until they need to use it.)
The next time I needed the Cold Pack was actually at my own home when my son sprained his ankle jumping on a friends trampoline. Apply a cold pack the doctor instructed. I took one of the Thera-Med Cold Packs out of the box and was very happy to find that it wasn't a shriveled up clump like the last one.
This instant cold pack is 8" x 5 1/2" and is flexible. My son is 12 and weights about 80 lbs. He is very thin even though I feed him well, this cold pack wrapped around his ankle nicely. However you don't put it directly on the skin. I put a towel underneath and he was able to feel the cold through the towel.
I followed the instructions and used the cold pack for about 15 minutes on and then about 15 minutes off. The pack remained cold for about 1 1/2 hours and then I threw it away.
Each pack contain Ammonium Nitrate and water and they come with the following WARNINGS:
"Extreme cold causes frostbite - use with a towel or other insulating material. Do not use for more than 10-15 minutes. Cold Therapy is not recommended for people with circulatory problems Raynauds Syndrome or Diabetes without first consulting your physician. Supervise Children during use."
and the following CAUTIONS:
"If solution contacts eyes, skin or open wounds, flush with water. If solution is swallowed, give one or two glasses of milk or water and induce vomiting. Contact Poison control immediately - FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY."
Please keep an eye on young children and pets when using these as a child at the teething stage may find it soothing on their teeth and a dog or cat may think it's a wonderful chew toy.
There are 4 steps in using this product which are pictured on the box and as well as the bag itself.
1. Squeeze the side of the pouch to break the inner bag of water. (As soon as the inner bag breaks you feel as if ice water is running down the palm of your hand).
2. Shake the pouch quickly for about 10 seconds to mix until it's ice cold.
3. Put cold pack on desired area using a towel or other cloth for insulation.
4. Throw it in the garbage after using.
As with all injuries, if swelling and pain persist, contact your doctor.
My sons sprain was bad enough that I took him to the hospital on the morning of the 4th of July, the day after the initial injury. (I thought it might be broken). Luckily it was just sprained and was told to keep putting ice on it, 15 minutes on and 15 off.
This Tera-Med Twin Pack cost $3.99 at CVS. It was convenient to use because I was able to wrap it around my sons ankle.
Much larger than conventional ice packs, amply sized to provide relief of minor back pain. May also be draped over shoulders or thighs or rolled and p...More at Amazon Marketplace
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