Keeping cool in the heat of Summer… and tackling hot flashes year round
We hear it time and time again – keeping cool is not easy.
Many people across our communities complain about how much the heat impacts their ability to function at all – whether it’s from outside heat or internal flashes.
I can talk about this one pretty confidently myself, as I’ve been living with MS for 9 years now (wow!). It’s a known heat and cold -intolerant disease that causes temporary symptom flares known as Uhthoff’s Phenomenon. But I’m not the only one. Heat impacts many of us frequently – especially MS’rs and men on hormone therapy.
It’s a consistent and persistent problem for so many of us, so I’d like to dedicate this blog post to the hot, sweaty, brain-fogged, but brilliant AnCan community.
Below you’ll find some recommendations for cooling products and other resources that we hope will ease your summer; not to mention your Quality of Life all year round.
The first part is a list of specific products that are tried and tested by either myself or someone in one of our community groups – with many of them coming from one of our lead moderators, Kim Stroeh. Thank you, Kim! Other suggestions come from AnCan Gents wrestling with hot flashes in the prostate cancer world, like Barry Blomquist and Bob Alvord… thank you!
Second is a list of products that we’ve heard about, but so far we don’t know of anyone who’s tried them; also products that maybe we have tried and tested, but don’t really have a specific link for.
Third is small list of tips and resources. I’m going to keep this part relatively small because it will probably need a completely separate blog post. Since Kim and I both have a chronic illness (MS) that makes us much more susceptible to the heat, a lot of our resources come from organizations that deal with it specifically. I’ve included those orgs that may be helpful no matter what our community may be living with.
Pro Tip:
Did you know that some insurance companies may cover the cost of a cooling product? That’s because it’s considered a DME (durable medical equipment). It may be tedious, but call them up and ask.
- Source: MS Society
We don’t get any financial benefit from these products; these are just some things that our community members have recommended because they actually work for them. Hopefully they work for you too!
I’ll be including a lot of links from Amazon because it’s simply easier to see a wider range of products and brands in one spot. I know Amazon may not be everyone’s favorite shopping platform, so feel free to use these ideas as a springboard to your preferred shopping platform or store.
Have a product to add or a link to a product listed below? Email me at Hannah@ancan.org
1. Tried and True
Specific products that are tried and tested by someone in one of our community groups
Cooling Blanket
- I just got one at the start of the summer and I absolutely love it!! I wonder why I didn’t get one sooner. Keeps me cool under the blanket when I move around. When I’m still, it keeps me warm. – Hannah
Portable Rechargeable Neck Fan
- Recommended by Bob Alvord (High Risk Prostate Cancer). See section 3 below for his favorite way to use this rechargeable neck fan when combined with a wet cooling towel!
MIDIAN Air Conditioning Vests
- An air conditioning vest. Recommendation from Barry Blomquist of our High Risk Prostate Cancer group.
Embr Wave 2
https://embrlabs.com/products/embr-wave-2
- A device worn on the wrist that cools or heats with the touch of a button. Recommended by Rick Davis. AnCan assisted in the FDA approval of this device. Here’s the trial: Embr – Feasibility of a novel wearable thermal device for management of bothersome hot flashes in patients with prostate cancer | Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases
Cooling Products
- these are products that use some kind of gel or other substance sewn into an insert that you tuck into a larger item, such as a vest, hat, etc.
A note from Kim:
“If indoors with extended cooling packs will stay cool for 2-3 hours or longer. Outside, it depends on how hot it is. I think the melting temperature is 72 degrees vs 32 degrees of water. Can become solid again at room temperature if the ambient temperature is cool enough.”
Thermapparel Undercool 3 cooling vest
- “Don’t waste your money on slim packs, buy the extended packs and by an extra set so you can switch out in between (you can buy in bundle and save money). The one reason I like this cooling vest is that its cooling packs are only on your back so it weighs around 2 lb versus a prior cooling vest that had them both on the front and the back and weighed 8 lb that was very bulky and made me feel like a bulky football player. For me, heavy weight can make my fatigue worse/drain me faster and that is one of the reasons I did not like the heavier one. I wear this when I need it (now if I am outside for any length of time in summer or attempting to do yard work) and have to wear it when I train with my personal trainer twice weekly at the gym. It is not really noticeable visually wearing under a t-shirt unless it is body hugging, it has a relatively low profile.” – Kim
Other Thermapparel Products
https://www.thermapparel.com/collections/all
- “I feel the grab and go packs are worthless (at least from my needs). But my needs are extreme. :-D” – Kim
Adjustable Zipper Cooling Vest with (5-12) 4.5″ x 6″ Kool Max® Packs
https://www.polarproducts.com/polarshop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=32&idcategory=508
- “It looks like they changed the design since I bought it so you are using the smaller individual packs versus 4 larger packs. Remember, smaller compartments will melt faster and not last as long. Cooling vests are nice because you stay dry. Store in freezer/fridge so always ready to go.” -Kim
2. Products to Try
A list of products that we’ve heard about, but so far we don’t know of anyone who’s tried them; also products that maybe we have tried and tested, but don’t really have a specific link for.
Please use the search method or store of your choice. You can copy/paste from here to get more targeted results
Folding Hand Fan – the manual kind
- “Carrying a portable foldable hand fan can go a long way. Incredibly grateful I bought mine into Target field. Lightweight, cheap, takes up little space and easy to transport.” – Kim
Portable Rechargeable Handheld Fan
- I never use it because – it needs to be charged, bulkier and heavier than the foldable fan. – Kim
Portable Rechargeable Neck Fan
Click the link here for Bob Alvord’s top choice. Then, scroll down to section 3 to see his genius way of using it.
- “I am not a fan of the neck fans because they tend to be loud (so harder to hear) and don’t give enough breeze for me to be very effective. May be effective for others that are not as extreme as me.” – Kim
- I have one that I use on occasion. It’s a cheap one. I like it well enough to bring with me on the rare summer hike, but not enough to recommend a specific one. It’s a little bulky and makes my neck sweaty where it hangs on my neck. Can also be a little bit loud, but I don’t usually mind. – Hannah
Cooling wrist wraps
Cooling Bra inserts
Cooling Hats
- With a built-in fan
- Water activated
- Or just the gel inserts
Cooling headband/ wraps – can also search for cooling migraine relief
Cooling Scarves / towels
Cooling Eye Masks – Great for migraines too
Cooling Vests – see above for specific products
Cooling Pad for Car
- Gel seat pads
- Electric car seat covers
Cooling Pad for Seat– This set of search terms brings up a lot of the same links as above
Cooling pillowcases – side note- this will be my next purchase after the success of the cooling blanket I recently purchased! – Hannah
Cooling pillows
Cooling mattress
Cooling mattress topper
Cooling blanket
Bamboo sheets and bamboo pajamas
- “If have issues being overheated while sleeping, I highly recommend getting both bamboo sheets and pajamas. They not only keep you cooler but will help wick away the moisture so you don’t feel drenched when you wake up.” – Kim
REON POCKET PRO Plus
Not yet on the market, but Barry Blomquist (Prostate Cancer community) mentioned it. Sensors actively adjust to temperature shifts maintaining your personalized comfort, while dual thermo-modules deliver efficient on-the-go cooling and warming.
https://electronics.sony.com/t/reonpocket
3. Resources
I’ve included those orgs that may be helpful no matter what our community may be living with. Just good, practical advice to beat the heat.
MS Society
- You’ll find tips + even more links to cooling products they recommend (including cooling bra inserts, eco- friendly products, cooling hats & wrist wraps, & others). Some even come with discount codes!
Tips for staying cool
- Good, practical advice that seems a little bit obvious at times, but there’s some surprising tips in there as well.
https://msfocus.org/Magazine/Magazine-Items/Posted/Sound-Summer-Sleep-with-MS.aspx
- Advice for sleeping at night. Lots of mention of products that I’ve listed above
Tips for Sleep
“The ceiling fan is your friend. I have also learned I need to turn the air down to 70 degrees from 72 degrees when I sleep because it is still too hot where my body touches the mattress.” – Kim
I use a slim floor fan, but have it set up on top of a nightstand at the foot of my bed. I also turn the AC down to 71F at night. I also make it a habit to use lotion on my feet and legs right before I get into bed. It has a soothing, cooling effect that keeps the heat away for a while – especially with the fan blowing directly on me. – Hannah
Tips & Habits to Sprinkle Throughout Your Day
“Drinking heavily iced water/beverages or frozen food can go a long ways. Most metal water bottles the ice will last most of the day.” – Kim
“I use floor fans when I am hanging outside on the highest setting. Helps keep bugs away too. Need outlet/extension cord available to access electricity. Can be kinda loud.” – Kim
Kim’s Ice Crown
- “A new thing I tried 3 weeks ago because using the cooling vest, heavy iced drinking water, and a spray bottle/fan that I keep in the fridge and add ice cubes before I left the house was not enough to keep my cool enough while training for 30min (I told you it was extreme!) I take bandana, open it up, line up ice cubes to two opposite diagonal corners (10-12 ice cubes for me from my ice maker), roll it up and tie around my head or neck. Will last about 30 -45 min wearing indoors. You will be wet from it and dripping with water and your t-shirt will get wet but that is okay for me during the summer. Store in ziplock bag when traveling with it and make ahead of time and store in freezer. I have it my thermapparel cooler when transporting so it doesn’t melt until I put it on. I call it my ice crown. Leave some space at the ends so you can tie it around your head or neck. Also rewetting bandana with icy water if hiking, etc helps after ice cubes melt. Cheap if you have ice maker but you will get wet from the chest up and doesn’t last as long as a cooling vest.”
Bob Alvord’s (High-Risk Prostate Cancer community) neck fan- towel combo
Bob Alvord with his cooling towel and rechargeable neck fan combo
“… I use a well hydrated cooling towel, large one and a wearable neck fan to alleviate hot flashes. You wear the fan around your neck and then place the cooling towel over the fan. This system greatly lowers the towel temperature. My measurement of the towel with the fan is around 65 degrees, using a thermometer. Placing the towel against your corotid, with a 65 degree temperature source is enough to lower exposure to heat. ”
Have a product, tip or URL to recommend? Email me at Hannah@ancan.org
We’ll update this post as needed