Chemical salt applicators are convenient devices for a warming or cooling compress. And if at home salt water heaters can be replaced with electric appliances, then in a camping trip you just can not do without them.
Types of salt warmers
Chemical warmer is a container filled with a supersaturated saline solution, which is in an inactive state in equilibrium. Different manufacturers may vary the exact composition of the mixture.
All salt autonomous applicators existing on the market can be divided into two large groups:
- single use;
- reusable application.
Disposable heating pads have a simpler composition. Outwardly, these are small rag or rubber cases, usually rectangular in shape, in which there is a dense dry mass. When activated, this mass is heated.
Reusable chemical heating pad is a more complex design. The case for it is made of rubber. Inside the case, in addition to the solution, there is a special trigger, which is responsible for starting the crystallization process. Also, this device may have an additional microfiber cover and an electronic starter.
Why are salt applicators better than analogues?
In comparison with other autonomous heaters, chemical ones have several advantages:
- They can be purchased at every tourist equipment store. Reusable heating pads are also sold in pharmacies and stores with goods for children.
- These devices are portable. They are small in size.
- Unlike the same gasoline portable hot-water bottles, salt-water smells nothing when working.
- They are convenient to use.
- Chemical heating pads are safe even for young children, as they are hypoallergenic and airtight.
- They do not need to buy additional filters or replacement parts.
- They are durable. The shelf life of disposable applicators is 2-3 years, and reusable can be used up to 1000 applications.
And how much does a reusable chemical heating pad cost? The price of an autonomous heater of any kind is affordable. A disposable heating pad costs 20-50 rubles. And the prices of reusable devices depend on the country of manufacture, the size and shape of the heating pad, but usually range from 300-2000 rubles.
Indications for use
When treating with dry heat, vasodilation occurs. Because of this, blood circulation improves. Therefore, there are a number of medical indications in which the doctor can prescribe heating with an autonomous chemical applicator:
- arrhythmia;
- heart failure;
- menstrual cramps;
- headache;
- osteochondrosis;
- arthritis;
- arthrosis;
- rhinitis;
- frontal sinusitis;
- sinusitis;
- angina;
- ARI;
- frostbite;
- leg pain
- other colds.
But a warming compress should not be done with:
- acute inflammatory processes;
- pustular skin lesions;
- allergic skin reactions;
- fever;
- with pain and cramping of unknown origin.
And when, on the contrary, it is necessary to slow down blood circulation, a chemical heating pad is used for cooling. Indications for this are:
- bruises and bruises;
- nosebleeds;
- muscle and tendon strains;
- high body temperature;
- flushing of blood to the head;
- first hours after an injury;
- recovery period after surgery.
But a cold heating pad is contraindicated in case of shock, collapse and spastic abdominal pain.
For ease of use, manufacturers make reusable applicators different in design. Mattresses and collars are best suited for heating large areas of the body: lower back, neck and joints. And special kneecaps have a form and ties convenient for attaching to the knee. There are heating pads in the form of insoles for shoes or linings for the nose and face.
How to make a thermal compress?
Activation of the applicator in the "heating" mode depends on what type it belongs to.
Disposable heating pad should be freed from packaging, then knead properly. But at the same time, you should not open the bag with the filler itself. After this, the applicator should be left in the open air for a while. After 5-10 minutes, it will become warm. This means that the chemical heating pad is ready for use. You can put it in your pocket or shoes and warm your hands and feet for 3-4 hours. It is impossible to allow contact of a warmer with a naked body.
Reusable applicators are activated using a special trigger, which usually takes the form of a trigger stick:
- The trigger must be bent by squeezing a heating pad or by pressing a special button. This will trigger a crystallization reaction.
- After this, the heating pad should be slightly stretched in the hands and applied to the diseased organ, so that, as it warms up, it takes the desired anatomical shape. A few minutes after turning on, the solution will become solid.
- To prevent burns on the body, the applicator should not touch bare skin. Therefore, it is better to remove it in a special cover or wrap with a towel.
- So that the device does not move, you need to stay alone for the entire time you receive the compress.
The operating time of the reusable heating pad in the active state is about 30-90 minutes. After that, it needs to be restored.
Rules for cooling with a salt applicator
For a cold compress, a reusable salt water heater is also used . The instructions for use are simple: the inactive applicator is cleaned for half an hour in the refrigerator, after which it is immediately ready for use.
Such a heating pad will keep the cold three times longer than regular ice. And besides cold compresses to the body, it can also be used to cool equipment and food products with its help. Similar salt applicators are used in the transportation of products.
However, you cannot
- Place the heated active heating pad in the refrigerator. From temperature extremes, it can break.
- Cool the applicator in the freezer. At subzero temperatures, the solution inside it crystallizes, hardens and becomes unusable.
Disposal and restoration of a heating pad
Immediately after use, a chemical disposable heating pad is disposed of with household waste, and a reusable heating pad only after the production period has ended in the solution inside it. Until then, a reusable heating pad can be restored after each use. To do this, you need:
- Wait until it finishes heating up and starts to cool.
- Wrap a heating pad in a simple cloth.
- Put in boiling water for 5-20 m.
- Drain and allow to dry.
- Clean until next use in a dark, dry place where room temperature is maintained.
If necessary, a reusable heating pad can be reused immediately.
Salt warmer for newborns
Babies often have colic and teeth are cut. And during the cognition of the world, small children can accidentally hurt themselves. Therefore, a device with which a child can make a cooling or heating compress in a matter of minutes is so valuable when caring for children.
Autonomous applicators for children are available in a special design. They look bright and colorful, which makes them look like toys. Such heaters, in addition to traditional compresses, use:
- to heat the stroller while walking;
- for heating the crib before going to bed.
Any salt water heater for newborns is absolutely safe thanks to hermetic packaging. In this case, the device does not cause allergies and takes the form of a body.
Use of a heating pad for cosmetic procedures
A warming compress will vaporize the skin before applying a nourishing mask. It will also treat small acne and relax facial muscles after a hard day's work, which will have a beneficial effect on the general well-being and smoothness of the skin. To make this procedure will help the salt water heater. Instructions for using it for cosmetic purposes are very simple and do not differ from the rules for use with a conventional thermal compress.
To do this, you need to activate it and attach it to your face in the area of interest. So that as the heating pad does not burn the skin, the device can additionally be wrapped with gauze or a towel. The main thing is that both the heating pad and the towel are clean, since during the compress, infection can be introduced into the enlarged pores.
But it is best to buy a special device that has a suitable size and anatomical shape. Included with the applicator for cosmetic procedures is a convenient microfiber cover.
Will heaters help on a camping trip?
Going fishing, hunting, or just relaxing in the countryside, you must definitely bring along some self-contained heating pads. They are useful to:
- warm the sleeping bag;
- warm hands in pockets;
- warm and dry your legs.
To use chemical foot warmers, you just need to activate the applicators and put them in your shoes. It is best suited for this purpose or disposable heating pads, or reusable devices in the form of insoles.
But heating in this way can only be done locally. If general hypothermia of the body was allowed, then the compress should be abandoned, since in this case the blood flow rushes to the heated organ, depriving the rest of the normal blood circulation. Which will lead to even greater freezing.
Knowing how to use a chemical heating pad, you can have time to provide first aid for an injury and get warm even during winter fishing.