This pain-relieving cream is something that is always present in our homes. When we sprain our ankle, when we hurt our body after playing cricket, when our limbs hurt after working in the garden, when our parents' knees hurt, we often use a cream, balm, or lotion like this, right? But do we really use these correctly? Do you know exactly what the side effects of these are? Today, let's talk about these types of pain-relieving creams that we all use.
What really happens with these creams?
Simply put, most of the creams, lotions, or ointments we use contain two compounds called menthol and methyl salicylate . These help relieve minor aches and pains in our muscles and joints.
Imagine that you sprain your leg and it hurts. When you apply this cream, your skin will start to feel cool or warm because of the menthol in it. This feeling of coolness or warmth temporarily blocks the pain signals from going to the brain. This means that your attention shifts away from the pain and is focused on that coolness/warmth.
Also, the methyl salicylate contained in this belongs to a group of drugs called salicylates. These work by reducing inflammation that causes pain. So it is because of the action of both of these that we get relief from pain. Many famous painkillers like Icy Hot, BenGay, Muscle Rub that we all know belong to this group.
Things you should tell your doctor before using this cream
Although this is a common medicine that you can buy at a pharmacy, if you have any health conditions , you should definitely talk to your doctor before using this, as the ingredients in these can sometimes interact with your medical conditions.
| Health condition or opportunity | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| If you have had heart bypass surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - CABG) | Special care should be taken when using these types of medications after surgery. |
| Other heart disease or high blood pressure | The ingredients in these may affect blood pressure. |
| Kidney disease | Since the components of the medicine absorbed into the body are excreted through the kidneys, caution should be exercised if the kidneys are weak. |
| Stomach ulcers or bleeding | The salicylates contained in these can increase the risk of stomach bleeding. |
| Burned, cut, or damaged skin | Applying the medication to damaged skin can cause more medication to be absorbed into the body and cause side effects. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | It is essential to seek medical advice before using any medication during pregnancy. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | Some medications can pass to the baby through breast milk, so you should always ask your doctor. |
How exactly do you use this?
To get the most out of this and avoid unnecessary problems, use it this way.
- For external use only: These are not oral medications. Do not swish or swallow under any circumstances.
- Wash your hands: Before applying the medicine, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying it. However, if you applied the medicine to your hands, do not wash your hands after applying it.
- Keep out of eyes: If in eyes, immediately rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water for several minutes.
- Apply a thin layer: Don't apply too thickly. Just apply a thin film to the painful area.
- Do not apply to broken skin: Do not apply these to areas with wounds, scratches, or burns.
- Follow the instructions: Read the instructions on the package carefully and use them as directed. Do not apply too often.
If you use it for small children...
Although these can sometimes be used on medical advice for children over the age of 2, you should definitely ask a doctor before using any of these on your child. Children's skin is sensitive, so you need to be careful.
What to do if you use too much?
If someone, especially a small child, swallows something like this, it is an emergency. Take them to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
The most important thing is that this medicine is for you only. Do not share your medicine with others. Because what works for you may not work for someone else.
Things to be careful about when using
There is nothing wrong with using this for a few days for normal pain. However, if your pain does not subside after about 7 days of use or if it gets worse , you should definitely see a doctor to find out the cause. There may be another serious cause underlying the pain.
Also, if your stools are black or tarry, or if you vomit something that looks like coffee grounds while taking this medicine, it could be a sign of stomach bleeding. If this happens , seek medical advice immediately.
What are the possible side effects?
Most of the time, there are no major side effects, but some people may experience these things.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
Allergic Reactions:
| |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
|
How to store and dispose of medicines safely?
- Storage: Keep these medications out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store them at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Disposal after expiration: Do not use expired medications. They should be disposed of properly. Some pharmacies have programs that accept expired medications. You can look into them. Or, ask your doctor how to dispose of them. If you are throwing them in the trash, take the medication out of the tube, mix it with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, put it in a bag, seal it, and throw it in the trash. Do not flush it down the toilet for any reason.
Take-Home Message
- These pain-relieving creams should only be used externally, on healthy skin. Do not apply to cuts or scrapes.
- If you have other medical conditions (especially heart, kidney, or stomach diseases), be sure to talk to your doctor before using these.
- If the pain does not subside or worsens after 7 days of use, seek medical advice.
- If you experience allergic symptoms such as severe itching or swelling at the site of application, or signs of bleeding such as black stools, see a doctor immediately.
- Always keep these medications away from small children.
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