When something hurts, you want to make it stop hurting as quick as possible. Often, this can be accomplished by an ice pack. But if the ouch is somewhere, say, rounded, a solid chunk of ice isn't easy to position. Instead of breaking out the bag of peas, here is a cheap DIY option for a gel pack that won't freeze solid but will provide the cold relief you are looking for - minus the mushy peas.
Ingredients:
2 cups water.
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
2 plastic baggies with zipper tops
Dish towel (or t shirt, any cloth material works)
How to assemble:
Fill one baggie with water and rubbing alcohol. Zipper it up tight. Set it inside the second baggie. Zipper that up tight. Place in the freezer. If it still seems to freeze too solid, let it melt, add a little more alcohol, and re-freeze. If you REALLY want to make sure it doesn't leak, I'd recommend letting the outside dry fully, then running a bead of pure silicone along the zipped up zipper and gently pressing it closed until silicone dries. A little more cost, but prevents the possible leakage from opening. If you want to make a good seal but don't have silicone on hand, using a hot knife or wood burner to melt shut the end flaps is another option, but it stinks and won't be as secure.
To Use:
Wrap the slushy frozen baggie in a towel (so no ice is directly against the skin) and place over aching, sprained, swollen or pained area of body. If desired, take a bandage wrap and wrap ice pack and towel against the body part to free up hands.
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