english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2008 > Microwaveable gel packs can cause severe burns

Spotlight: Archives

Every month, the subjects in Prescrire’s Spotlight.

2008 : 1 | 30 | 60

Microwaveable gel packs can cause severe burns

The use of certain warming devices can be dangerous, especially for infants, the elderly or diabetic patients.

Various microwaveable devices are currently competing with the traditional hot-water bottle. Re-usable gel packs that can be immersed in hot water or heated in the microwave are sold to relieve rheumatic or muscular pain and menstrual cramps.

There have been complaints of sometimes severe burns caused by these gel packs. They represent a dual risk: on the one hand, the microwave heats deeply, unevenly and very quickly to extremely high temperatures. On the other, gels retain heat longer than other materials. Burns are sometimes caused by prolonged contact with the packs at a temperature which is not initially painful or uncomfortable.

The use of microwaveable gel packs requires some guidance, particularly with regard to heating time. It is best to wait at least 10 minutes after removing the pack from the microwave, and to blend the gel evenly before use.

The pack should not be applied to areas where the skin is sensitive, or used on fragile or particularly vulnerable individuals (the elderly, infants, diabetics, those with vascular disorders or skin lesions, etc.).

©Prescrire February 2008

Source: "Brûlures liées aux soins : gare aux micro-ondes" Rev Prescrire 2008 ; 28 (292) : 106-107.

- More articles in Prescrire's "Spotlight"...