In our daily lives, minor accidents, muscle strains, and joint pain are common. There are times when we sprain our legs while playing cricket. There are times when we strain our arms and legs while doing household chores. Sometimes we have knee and elbow pain that comes with age. So, at times like these, many of us use a pain-relieving cream. Today, we are going to talk about one such commonly used cream, Trolamine Salicylate.
Simply put, what is Trolamine Salicylate?
This is a medicated cream that goes on your skin . It is mainly used to relieve minor aches and pains in your muscles and joints.
Imagine that you sprained your leg. That area is swollen and painful, right? That swelling and pain is what we medically call inflammation . The chemical compound trolamine salicylate in this cream works to reduce that inflammation. When the inflammation decreases, the swelling goes down and the pain also decreases to a great extent.
This belongs to a group of drugs called salicylates . You may have heard of aspirin. Aspirin is also a drug in this group. However, this cream is not meant to be taken orally, but only applied to the skin . You can find this cream in the market under various brand names like Aspercreme and Myoflex.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before using any medication, it is very important to talk openly with your doctor about your health condition. Especially before using this cream, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Situation to be concerned about | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Skin wounds, scratches, or rashes | Broken skin can cause unwanted absorption of this medication into the body, causing side effects. |
| Large area of burned or damaged skin | Applying the cream to these areas can cause more medication to be absorbed into the body. |
| Having skin conditions or sensitive skin | Conditions such as eczema and psoriasis may worsen. |
| Allergies to aspirin or other salicylates | This cream is also a type of salicylate, so it can cause severe allergies. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or dyes | It is important for the doctor to be aware of your allergy history. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Some medications can affect the baby during pregnancy, so medical advice is essential. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | You should ask your doctor if the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this cream?
The way to use this is very simple, but very important.
- For skin use only: Never put this in your mouth or swallow it. This is for external use only.
- Take it at the right time: If your doctor tells you to take it three times a day, take it exactly at that time. Don't go and take it every time you remember.
- Only apply as much as needed: Apply a thin layer to the painful area and massage gently. There is no need to apply a lot of cream at once.
- If given to children: If using this on children under 12 years of age, you should definitely ask a doctor . Although doctors sometimes recommend it, there must be special reasons for it.
- Do not share medicine: This is a medicine that was prescribed for you. Do not give it to a friend, even if they have the same symptoms as you. Everyone's health is different.
Attention: What if the medicine is overdosed or someone drinks it by mistake?
If this happens, do not ignore it. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or immediately take the patient to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Sometimes we forget to use medicine. If that happens, apply the cream as soon as you remember. However, if it is a while before your next dose (for example, an hour or two), skip the missed dose and apply only the prescribed amount for the next dose. Never apply twice as much at once.
Things to be especially careful about when using this cream:
- If symptoms do not improve: If the pain does not improve after applying the cream for a few days, or if the pain seems to be getting worse, see your doctor again immediately .
- Do not let it get into your eyes: If this gets into your eyes, it can cause eye irritation. If you accidentally get it in your eyes, rinse your eyes thoroughly with clean water for several minutes.
- Do not bandage: Do not apply bandages to the area where the cream was applied. Also, do not apply anything like a heating pad to the area. Doing so may increase the absorption of the medicine into the skin, which may cause skin burns or other side effects.
- Do not apply other things: Do not apply any other ointment or oil to the area where this cream has been applied without consulting your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
Most people do not experience any major side effects from this cream, but it is important to be aware of the possible side effects.
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions |
|
| Side effects that are usually not dangerous, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Minor skin changes |
|
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
How do you keep this medicine safe?
- Keep away from children: Do not leave this in places where small children and pets can get hold of it.
- Storage temperature: Normal room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius) is best. Protect from extreme heat or cold.
- After expiration: If the expiration date on the cream tube has passed, discard it without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Trolamine Salicylate is a topical medication for minor pain and swelling in muscles and joints.
- Before using this, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies. Be sure to mention any allergies to aspirin.
- Do not apply this cream to broken, scratched, or injured skin.
- Do not rub the cream too hard or apply heat to the area where it was applied.
- If you experience symptoms of an allergy (skin rash, itching, facial swelling), seek medical attention immediately.
- Always keep this medicine safely out of the reach of small children.
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