The two most common treatments for any kind of cancer are radiation and chemotherapy. While both can help save lives, they have unpleasant side effects, including fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and loss of fingernails and toenails as well as skin toxicity. Research has shown that the loss of nails and damage to the skin caused by chemotherapy treatments may be mitigated by vasoconstriction, or narrowing of the blood vessels, induced by cooling the hands and feet.

Applying cold towels can be messy, and cold wraps or ice packs may be difficult to position in a way that provides maximum benefit. Rehabmart offers a solution in the Modalities Hypothermia mitts and slippers, providing an easy way to apply cold to hands and feet during chemotherapy treatments, restricting the blood flow to the nails and lessening the impact of the powerful drugs on healthy tissue.

                          

The Heat and Cold Therapy Hypothermia Mitts  and Slippers are filled with safe, nontoxic Elasto-Gel that stays soft and flexible to -20F. Before use, they are placed in the freezer for two to three hours. They may also be kept in the freezer indefinitely--just store them in a plastic bag. When ready, the patient simply slips them on while chemotherapy is administered, then takes them off when finished. Adjustable Velcro strips around the ankles and wrists hold them in place while being worn. The only drawback is that some patients may not be able to tolerate the cold. For those who are able to handle the reduction in temperature, the mitts and slippers offer a significant reduction in loss of toenails and fingernails, as well as minimizing skin damage.

While useful for easing the side effects of chemotherapy, the mitts and slippers may also be used to apply heat to hands and feet that are cold or aching due to injuries, conditions such as Raynaud's disease, circulation problems, or arthritis. They may be heated in either a microwave or a conventional oven at a low temperature. In less than five minutes, the user is enjoying a deep heat treatment and getting relief from discomfort.

Both the mitts and slippers come in an eye-pleasing shade of blue with contrasting black Velcro straps. They are reusable, and the mitts come with disposable liners. The removable covers can be washed by hand in soap and water, and then hung up to air dry. The inside liners need no more than a quick wipe with a cloth dampened with mild soap or disinfectant. The Modalities mitts and slippers are sold separately in cases of six pairs, and the mitts come with ten pairs of disposable liners.