When we feel pain in our body, a minor sprain, or a joint ache, we seek immediate relief. Most of the time, we buy a patch from the pharmacy and stick it on. Many people are used to these because they provide quick relief. So today, let's talk about these Camphor & Menthol pain relief patches. Let's see exactly how these work and what precautions we need to take while using them.
What is actually happening with this patch?
Simply put, the natural ingredients in this patch, camphor and menthol, are applied to your skin. When you apply the patch, you may feel a slight cooling sensation, sometimes a slight heat sensation. This new sensation causes a slight disruption in the pain signals that travel from your pain-sensing nerves to your brain.
Imagine, what is happening here is like taking your attention away from the pain and focusing on this cold/heat sensation. That is what reduces the pain and makes you feel great relief. These are mainly used to relieve minor muscle pain and joint pain .
Things to tell your doctor before using this patch
Although these can be purchased at the pharmacy, if you have certain health conditions, it is very important to talk to your doctor before using them.
| Tell your doctor if you have these conditions. | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you have large areas of skin that are burned, scratched, injured, or have a condition such as eczema. | Applying the medication to broken skin increases the risk of side effects by allowing more medication to be absorbed into the body. |
| If you have allergies to camphor, menthol, or other medicines, foods, or dyes. | This is essential to prevent a severe allergic reaction. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. | Some medications during pregnancy can affect the baby in the womb, so it is important to seek medical advice. |
| If you are a nursing mother. | Since medicinal ingredients can pass to the baby through breast milk, it is important to consult a doctor for the safety of the baby. |
How exactly do you use this?
To get the best results and avoid unnecessary problems, you need to know how to use this patch correctly.
- This is only to be applied to the skin . Do not take it by mouth or insert it into the body in any other way.
- Follow the instructions on the patch label or the included leaflet exactly.
- Never cut or tear the patch into pieces. Doing so may cause more medicine to be absorbed into the skin than intended.
- Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap after applying the patch. Otherwise, the medicine on your hands could get into your eyes or sensitive areas.
- The patch should usually be removed after 8 hours . Do not leave it on longer than that.
- Before applying a new patch, make sure the old one is completely removed and clean the area.
- Do not use more than the recommended number of times per day.
Can small children use these?
This is a question that many parents have. Although it is generally safe for children over 12 years of age to use these in selected cases, it is important to discuss this with a pediatrician. Avoid using these on children under 12 years of age without medical advice.
Important: This medicine is for you only. Never give a patch that was given to you for your pain to someone else. It can be dangerous because everyone's health conditions are different.
What to do if it is used excessively or if a child puts it in their mouth?
Although this is very rare, it is important to know what to do if it happens. If you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if a small child has put it in their mouth, do not panic and take immediate action.
Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, these patches can cause minor side effects in some people. Most of them are not serious.
| Side effect | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions - Skin rash, severe itching, blistering - Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat | Remove the patch immediately. See a doctor immediately. If you have difficulty breathing, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Slight redness, dryness, or slight inflammation of the skin where the patch was applied. | This usually goes away after the patch is removed, but if it persists or bothers you, tell your doctor. |
If your symptoms do not improve after 7 days, or if they worsen, be sure to see your doctor.
How do you store and dispose of these safely?
- Be sure to keep this patch out of the reach of small children and pets .
- Store in a dry place at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Do not use expired patches.
- Even if a patch has been used, there may still be some medicine left in it. So, fold the sticky side of the used patch in half, put it in a small bag, and throw it in the trash. Never flush these down the toilet.
Take-Home Message
- Camphor and menthol patches are used to temporarily relieve minor pain in muscles and joints.
- Before using these, inform your doctor about any allergies you have, other medical conditions, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Never cut the patch, apply it to broken or diseased skin, or leave it on for more than 8 hours.
- If you experience any allergic symptoms, such as severe itching or swelling of the skin, remove the patch immediately and seek medical advice.
- Always keep these safely out of the reach of small children and pets.
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