Information on using cold caps: someone requested but with my poor computer skills, I hit the wrong button and lost the e-mail:
We started with Penguin then switched to elasto gel (order on line at HPMS or other site, @$85 each, need at least 6) but use the penguin protocol for hair care and times. I did testing of caps out of a -23C freezer and found elasto heat up more quickly so we cut the times: use the elastos 15 min for the first 3 caps (45 minutes total) before chemo and start chemo after you get the 4th one on. Then change every 20 min through chemo. For the 4 hours after, change every 20 min.
Do caps for several hours the day after chemo.
Keep each cap in a 2.5 gallon zip lock freezer bag when ever it is in the cooler to keep ice crystals off caps.
Take the cap out 15-20 min before you need it, check temp. If too cold, kneed it to get it ready. When at right temp, replace in cooler until needed. After a few caps, you’ll know how soon you need to take each out to have it ready on time.
Adjust time as you need. The sides with either type of cap tend to get warmer than the top. You might put a cut-to-fit piece of cloth or something in the top of the cap to keep it from getting too cold while the sides are exposed to the full ice treatment while in the cooler.
You will need at least 70lbs of dry ice. I get 40lbs in pellets and the rest in 2” thick 10x10 blocks. Put dry ice in zip lock freezer bags: pellets in one gallon bags and blocks in 2 gallon bags – zip ONLY part way. Dry ice will explode if it is sealed up.
Do not store dry ice in your living area – it sucks the oxygen out of the air. When traveling with it in a van or SUV – keep windows open enough to circulate air.
Place one gallon pellet bags inside of caps. Use ice blocks to line bottom and side of cooler. On the bottom put a towel over the ice blocks before placing the caps. Coleman Extreme 60 qt works for us. You might find that two smaller coolers work better because you can leave one tightly closed while using caps from the other.
Keep the cooler closed - the vapors suck the oxygen out of the air.
With Elasto Gels, have the chin strap hanging on your RIGHT side – this put the thicker part in the back where you need it. Do not put any cap over the cold cap. Make 2” wide elastic straps (21 to 23” long) with Velcro to go around the circumference of the cap and one to go under the chin and over to the crown of the head. Straps must fit tightly so don’t make them too long.
I made elastic bands like the PCC ones for around the circumference and one under the chin and over the head. Also make extras for whatever spot seems to need it. Two inch wide elastic with velcro sewn to the ends: one 21 to 23” long for the circumference and one 21” for under the chin and over the top of the head to pull caps tighter. Put a piece of moleskin when the chin hits the elastic on the over-the- head strap (get a roll at Target - Dr. Sholls section) for under the chin comfort.
To see what the straps I copied look like go to Penguin site and watch the video of a nurse putting the cap on a patient.
As for wetting the hair – we did not do this. Dignicap uses this but their system stays at 5 degrees F, much warmer than Penguins or EGs. Elasto gel instructions are all wrong for cancer patients. Times are way to long.
If it doesn’t all come together for you – just use an ace bandage, but cut it so you don’t have to spend so much time wrapping your head with each cap.
Use the moleskin (Target in the Dr Sholls section, it sticks to the skin) to protect forehead. Use something to protect ears - some use cut-to-fit panty liners or Ear Pops - we got Ear Pops from www.improvementscatalog.com for $7.99 a pair (1-800 642-2112).
Get a thermometer from Sears or somewhere like Northern Tool Supply that reads to -30C or -22F. Make a temp chart for reference during chemo - online has a C to F conversion table I find helpful to have with temps from +38F to -30F and the C conversion next to them. Just google it. If you can’t find the laser thermometer, there is a refrigerator one that Walmart had that goes down to 20C that you can hand in the cooler – better than nothing.
Get a twin size electric blanket to keep warm.
MOST OF ALL - I recommend reading the Cold Cap posts about using the caps. The hair care is important. Breastcancer.org, Forum: help me get through treatment, thread: Cold Caps Now and Then
Get an Extreme Cold cooler and keep lid tightly closed. Google “dry ice and safety” to see how to use it – VERY important info.
No washing two days before or two days after chemo.
Use only COLD water.
No blow drying.
Use wide tooth comb and do not pull on hair.
Use organic or very mild shampoo diluted 1:1.
Use leave on conditioner – Sea Chi 760 832-9351.
Use satin pillow care and satin sleep cap to prevent stress on hair. Keep long hair in open weave hair cover – hair net or similar, to keep your clothes from pulling out the fragile hairs. Cotton and other materials have “teeth” – rough texture that grabs hair.
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Information on using cold caps: someone requested but with my poor computer skills, I hit the wrong button and lost the e-mail:
We started with Penguin then switched to elasto gel (order on line at HPMS or other site, @$85 each, need at least 6) but use the penguin protocol for hair care and times. I did testing of caps out of a -23C freezer and found elasto heat up more quickly so we cut the times: use the elastos 15 min for the first 3 caps (45 minutes total) before chemo and start chemo after you get the 4th one on. Then change every 20 min through chemo. For the 4 hours after, change every 20 min.
Do caps for several hours the day after chemo.
Keep each cap in a 2.5 gallon zip lock freezer bag when ever it is in the cooler to keep ice crystals off caps.
Take the cap out 15-20 min before you need it, check temp. If too cold, kneed it to get it ready. When at right temp, replace in cooler until needed. After a few caps, you’ll know how soon you need to take each out to have it ready on time.
Adjust time as you need. The sides with either type of cap tend to get warmer than the top. You might put a cut-to-fit piece of cloth or something in the top of the cap to keep it from getting too cold while the sides are exposed to the full ice treatment while in the cooler.
You will need at least 70lbs of dry ice. I get 40lbs in pellets and the rest in 2” thick 10x10 blocks. Put dry ice in zip lock freezer bags: pellets in one gallon bags and blocks in 2 gallon bags – zip ONLY part way. Dry ice will explode if it is sealed up.
Do not store dry ice in your living area – it sucks the oxygen out of the air. When traveling with it in a van or SUV – keep windows open enough to circulate air.
Place one gallon pellet bags inside of caps. Use ice blocks to line bottom and side of cooler. On the bottom put a towel over the ice blocks before placing the caps. Coleman Extreme 60 qt works for us. You might find that two smaller coolers work better because you can leave one tightly closed while using caps from the other.
Keep the cooler closed - the vapors suck the oxygen out of the air.
With Elasto Gels, have the chin strap hanging on your RIGHT side – this put the thicker part in the back where you need it. Do not put any cap over the cold cap. Make 2” wide elastic straps (21 to 23” long) with Velcro to go around the circumference of the cap and one to go under the chin and over to the crown of the head. Straps must fit tightly so don’t make them too long.
I made elastic bands like the PCC ones for around the circumference and one under the chin and over the head. Also make extras for whatever spot seems to need it. Two inch wide elastic with velcro sewn to the ends: one 21 to 23” long for the circumference and one 21” for under the chin and over the top of the head to pull caps tighter. Put a piece of moleskin when the chin hits the elastic on the over-the- head strap (get a roll at Target - Dr. Sholls section) for under the chin comfort.
To see what the straps I copied look like go to Penguin site and watch the video of a nurse putting the cap on a patient.
As for wetting the hair – we did not do this. Dignicap uses this but their system stays at 5 degrees F, much warmer than Penguins or EGs. Elasto gel instructions are all wrong for cancer patients. Times are way to long.
If it doesn’t all come together for you – just use an ace bandage, but cut it so you don’t have to spend so much time wrapping your head with each cap.
Use the moleskin (Target in the Dr Sholls section, it sticks to the skin) to protect forehead. Use something to protect ears - some use cut-to-fit panty liners or Ear Pops - we got Ear Pops from www.improvementscatalog.com for $7.99 a pair (1-800 642-2112).
Get a thermometer from Sears or somewhere like Northern Tool Supply that reads to -30C or -22F. Make a temp chart for reference during chemo - online has a C to F conversion table I find helpful to have with temps from +38F to -30F and the C conversion next to them. Just google it. If you can’t find the laser thermometer, there is a refrigerator one that Walmart had that goes down to 20C that you can hand in the cooler – better than nothing.
Get a twin size electric blanket to keep warm.
MOST OF ALL - I recommend reading the Cold Cap posts about using the caps. The hair care is important. Breastcancer.org, Forum: help me get through treatment, thread: Cold Caps Now and Then
Get an Extreme Cold cooler and keep lid tightly closed. Google “dry ice and safety” to see how to use it – VERY important info.
No washing two days before or two days after chemo.
Use only COLD water.
No blow drying.
Use wide tooth comb and do not pull on hair.
Use organic or very mild shampoo diluted 1:1.
Use leave on conditioner – Sea Chi 760 832-9351.
Use satin pillow care and satin sleep cap to prevent stress on hair. Keep long hair in open weave hair cover – hair net or similar, to keep your clothes from pulling out the fragile hairs. Cotton and other materials have “teeth” – rough texture that grabs hair.
Good luck. Joyce
April 9, 2011 - 2:42amThis Comment
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