Could a gadget that shines light in your ear cure winter blues?
Aching joints, low mood, fevers, colds and flu — the onset of winter can be a challenging time for our health and wellbeing.
But is there a gadget to deal with the problems cold weather may present? We asked experts for their views on some of the latest winter tech — which they rated based on the health claims and how useful such a product might actually be.
COLD SORES
Electronic Cold Sore Machine, £35.99, boots.com a Battery-operated device that claims to work by using an invisible beam of light to enhance the immune response to the cold sore virus, speeding up the healing time. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘this uses low level infrared light to shorten the duration of a cold sore,’ says Dr anshoo Sahota, a consultant dermatologist at Barts health nhS trust in London.
‘the way it works is not entirely clear, but it does not seem to kill the cells affected by the virus directly.
‘there seems to be some localised immune-boosting effect that allows the body to combat the cold sore virus more effectively. there are no studies comparing this type of device with topical or oral drugs such as aciclovir (currently the best medical option).
‘topical aciclovir applied at the earliest stage of a cold sore will provide a similar level of improvement, and remember that cold sores get better by themselves anyway. this device may be helpful for people who get frequent cold sores [more than six episodes per year]. For people who get fewer than that, it wouldn’t be very cost effective.’
4/5
FEVER
Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer, £39.75, expresschemist.co.uk DeSigneD for children from newborn upwards. according to the manufacturer, what counts as a fever changes up to the age of 36 months. the thermoScan thermometer can be digitally adjusted according to the age of the child, so a parent can take an accurate reading. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘this is an over-priced and unnecessary addition to an already saturated market catering to over-anxious parents,’ says Dr robert Block, a paediatrician at royal Manchester children’s hospital.
‘cheaper, accurate options abound in the digital market for less than a tenner. there can be a very slight fluctuation in the definition of fever in children: for a newborn it might be slightly lower, otherwise we say it’s a temperature if it’s 38 degrees and above.
‘i feel parents would be better placed investing time printing out a simple cue card for signs of severe illness. the vast majority of high temperatures are still caused by viruses — so need little more than cuddles, drinks and possibly paracetamol if the child is uncomfortable.
‘Use a forehead scanner for a baby under four weeks; after that age, under-arm tempa Dot [single-use disposable] thermometers are fine, and cheaper.’
1/5
Zippo Pocket Hand Warmer,
£19.99, thefowndry.com
POOR CIRCULATION
thiS is said to produce steady, soothing warmth for up to six hours. you simply fill the palmsized metal hand warmer with lighter fluid; ignite the burner with a match or lighter, then pop on the protective, ventilated cap. EXPERT VERDICT: eddie chaloner, a consultant vascular surgeon with the radiance Vein clinic in London, says: ‘cold, frozen fingers are a hazard in winter — especially for people with raynaud’s, where blood flow to the extremities is drastically reduced in response to the cold. i usually suggest to patients that they use disposable hand warmers in their gloves. however they wouldn’t last as long as this device, which is quite clever as it can be used repeatedly.
‘My only concern is there could be a risk of the device spilling out lighter fluid or maybe burning someone if it went wrong.
4/5 Volcanic heated insoles, £9.99, maplin.co.uk Worn inside the shoe, these battery-powered insoles promise to heat to 40c in five minutes. there’s also a switch so they can be turned on and off as needed. EXPERT VERDICT: Dr Mike o’neill, a consultant podiatric surgeon and spokesman for the UK Society of chiropodists and Podiatrists says: ‘these are a really good idea as they’re easy to fit into any shoe — just cut to your required size.
‘they heat up well within five minutes and keep feet nice and warm, especially useful if you’re doing a lot of standing in the cold (when we walk this keeps the circulation going to warm up feet).
‘they aren’t bulky but would need to be worn with footwear deep enough to take the insole, such as trainers or boots. there’s no risk to health and they are a good price, though i’ve no idea what the volcanic part means!’
4/5
LOW MOOD
Valkee 2 New Generation SAD Light Therapy headset £169.95, jdharris.com DeSigneD to help those suffering with SaD — seasonal affective disorder — or low mood during dark winter months. it is worn like headphones, with earbuds that go into the ears — these emit light to activate ‘photosensitive regions of the brain’.
the manufacturer claims the ear canal is a more effective route to deliver light to the brain than the eye. in a fourweek study carried out by the manufacturer, people with SaD had at least a 50 per cent reduction in their symptoms after using it for eight to 12 minutes a day. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘this is a complete waste of time,’ says Professor russell Foster, director of the Sleep and circadian neuroscience institute, University of oxford. ‘the proposed action of this device cannot be explained by our current understanding of how light regulates human biology: the ear is not a place to target light treatment.
‘SaD has been treated successfully in some people with bright light delivered by a light box. Bright blue light delivered in the morning seems to stimulate specialised sensors in the eye. these regulate the body clock and alertness, and may also regulate areas of the brain involved in mood and depression.’
‘however, this SaD light has not, to my knowledge, been tested by independent researchers in controlled trials. While there may be some placebo effect, i think it highly unlikely that it provides any real therapeutic value.’
0/5
ARTHRITIS PAIN
Homedics iHeal, £50, very.co.uk thiS claims to be the world’s smallest, most effective and versatile PeMF (Pulse electroMagnetic Field) therapy unit, providing fast relief from pain, soft tissue injuries and arthritis — which may be worse in cold or wintry weather.
it is said to work by sending painless pulsed magnetic energy waves deep into the body’s tissue and bone; these then apparently increase blood flow to the treated area to trigger the body’s natural healing process. the iheal can be used frequently, for up to ten hours at a time. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Physios have been using the well proven PeMF technology for years to optimise recovery from aches and pains, as well as soft tissue injuries,’ says Sammy Margo, a London-based chartered physiotherapist. ‘this is a relatively inexpensive, small and portable device.
‘one of the best features is that it provides sustained treatment that does not interfere with your daily activities — you can wear it during the day or even while you sleep. i would recommend it.
4/5 Vicks VH-750 Warm Mist Humidifier, £39.99, argos.co.uk
BLOCKED NOSE AND SORE THROAT
DeSigneD to reduce congestion when you have a cold, this produces a warm visible mist which manufactures claim is 95 per cent free from bacteria and impurities and which lands further down the respiratory tract than other humidifiers. it boils water to a produce steam and can be used with Vicks VapoPads — pads scented with menthol or rosemary and lavender. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘i believe this will provide symptom relief for a cough and sore throat associated with common cold,’ says Professor ron eccles, director of the common cold centre and healthcare clinical trials at cardiff University. ‘especially with the use of menthol pads to relieve symptoms such as congestion and cough.
‘it’s the same idea as putting your head over a bowl of boiling water with Vick’s Vaporub in it. however, the convenience of warm humidified air and menthol on tap may make it worth spending the money on and it is safer. it is also very quiet so won’t disturb sleep.’
4/5
FALLS
Nordic mini grips, £7.95 a pair, icegripper.co.uk theSe rubber bands are fitted with two hardened metal studs which can be positioned under the sole of a shoe for traction on snow and ice to avoid slips and falls. EXPERT VERDICT: Dr Jon Dearing, a sports injury surgeon at carrick glen hospital, in ayr says: ‘these claim to provide more traction to your shoes. and the studs may provide some grip. But i think they’re more likely to have an effect because they alter your gait.
‘instead of your foot landing flat as you walk it could rock because of the studs, making you feel more unstable. this means you will concentrate more on your balance, so will walk more slowly — thus reducing the chance of a fall.
i’d also be concerned about an elderly person wearing them — they are a little tricky to put on and if their foot goes backward because of slippy pavements there is still nothing to stop them from falling.’
2/5