Analgesic pain-relieving balms that fall under topical painkillers are pain medications that are applied directly to the skin instead of being swallowed or injected. They are readily available at any nearby local drugstore and claim to be excellent joint pain remedy ever. They work in different ways for different conditions but are commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain and some types of neuropathic pain.
Analgesic pain balms come in various forms and categories like herbal, chemical, or a mix of both. Some are counterirritants that produce hot, cold or tingling sensations, NSAIDs with anti-inflammatory properties, general over-the-counter (OTC) pain relieving balms, and prescription creams that come in stronger concentrations. But, do such ointments for pain relief or arthritis creams really work? Are there any side-effects of using them? Let's find out.
The pain-relief balms or arthritis creams only work for minor pain or strain. And yes, there are few side-effects reported which are mentioned below;
1. Skin irritation
Analgesic balms can cause skin irritations to some, especially those with sensitive skin. It may cause severe itching and redness as well. Wash the arthritis cream away on the spot if you feel any such sensation on your skin.2. Allergic reactions
Some people can be allergic to some of the ingredients in the analgesic cream which may cause rashes, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, chest or throat tightness, tingling sensation, swelling, fluid accumulation around the eye, puffy face from water retention, etc.3. Chemical burns
Certain chemicals used to prepare pain balms when coming in contact with the skin may cause burns or blisters. A moderate amount of burning sensation is normal in analgesic balms but it if it is severe, then you may notice a burn or blister.4. Overdose Regular and frequent application of arthritis creams can cause permanent skin damage. It can be lethal and may affect your over health as well. Inhaling its smell, or internal consumption can even cause death.
Usually, the side-effects go away within a few hours of washing the cream from the affected area. But in some cases, the symptoms may persist. Hence keep in mind the below tips while using arthritis cream;
● Always follow the instructions and apply accordingly
● Do not use on children younger than two years
● Do not ingest
● Never apply on open wounds or irritated, sunburned, and chapped skin
● Do not rub the pain balm harshly on the skin
● Seek immediate medical care if the symptoms are extreme
● Don't cover the application area with heat pads, cold packs, or bandages.
● Do not mix it with other products
● Wash your hands before and after the application of the cream
● Limit your use to four times per day, unless the package suggests otherwise
Conclusion Topical analgesics may work on minor aches and sprains, but in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis where the pain is deep and chronic, pain balms may fail to reach beneath or may give only temporary relief. The major reasons why people apply analgesic cream are its instant pain-relieving, easy-to-use and carry properties, but, why depend and take a risk on such solutions when you get all these from an electrotherapy device?SONICTENS guarantees a 100% natural and permanent pain-relief with no side-effects at all and is light-weight and portable too. So, make the right decision and stay safe.