Pocket Size Cold Gel Pack

I always keep a gel pack in my refrigerator or freezer because I use them for burns, headaches, and muscle aches and pains. I used to suffer from migraine headaches and gel packs could knock them out very quickly. I had a serious fall several months ago and just recently started seeing a massage therapist. She told me after my treatment I needed to apply ice to it. The other day I burned myself while I was cooking and needed to apply ice.

Ice is usually needed within the first 24 hours of an injury. I take hot baths a lot to re-leave the pain but I always finish off with a cold pack. Doctors do not recommend using ice packs more than 10 minutes at a time for an area.They suggest removing the ice pack long enough for the skin to return to normal before applying the second and third time around.

It is a pain to use ice or a bulky ice-pack so I decided to try making a miniature ice pack for smaller areas. I remembered alcohol is put in windshield fluid to keep it from freezing, so I did an experiment. I made different solutions to come up with a small gel pack that would not freeze but would make a gel instead. I also did not want it to leak. I wanted it small enough to put in my purse if I had to go somewhere, and I was in pain.This tutorial is what I came up with.

Step 1 Supplies

This is what you will need:

• Water
• Rubbing alcohol
• Blue food coloring
• Snack size zip lock bags or Punch ball
• Altoids can or Eye glass case (optional)
• Rubber bands (optional)
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoons and a teaspoon
• Funnel (optional)

Comments

[gserrano701]

Great idea. I made two bags, both with 3 to one water to industrial alcohol. One went to the fridge 5 days ago and it's like a gel, sort of half frozen and half liquid and very cold. The other went into the microwave for a minute and a half with a damp cloth; my wife used it to relieve some pain and works beautifully, comfortable and lasts long enough.

Unfortunately I didn't use quality bags and, even though I put one bag inside another in each there is still a tiny leakage.

Guaranteed, great to have at home, don't know how I lived without these the for 5X years.

BTW loved the alligator.

[FlatLinerMEDIC]

awesome

[siafulinux]

Great name "FlatLiner" :-)

[sunshiine]

Thanks FlatLinerMEDIC for commenting! Have a super weekend!
sunshiine

[phoenyxashe]

Another option (one I may try if I can find one at a thrift store) is a Seal-a-Meal (TM) bag. Less chance of springing a leak.

[sunshiine]

Oh yes! I wished that I had one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and do have a great weekend!
Sunshiine

[rimar2000]

Interesting and useful.

Do you thought to add antifreeze for cars? It is cheap and easy to found.

[sunshiine]

Hi rimar2000!  After thinking about your comment I think I would not use antifreeze just to be safe. Certain antifreeze here in the US have been known to kill cats. I do not know if they  make antifreeze different than they did several years ago but just to be safe I would not use it. Maybe there is someone here on Instructables that could comment on this subject. Thanks so much for commenting and do have a splendorous day!
sunshiine

[rimar2000]

WOW, I didn't know that!

[sunshiine]

Yes, it is very toxic . Here is a link about it:
http://www.seco.noaa.gov/ENV/Factsheets/antifreeze.html

[scoochmaroo]

Very clever!

[sunshiine]

Thanks for commenting! Have a beautiful day!
sunshiine