Topical creams, gels and ointments containing menthol can help provide pain relief. When rubbed into the skin, these preparations can increase blood circulation to the affected area and produce a warming (or cooling) effect. There are several over-the-counter preparations that contain menthol.
BENGAY
BENGAY comes in several formulas: Ultra Strenth BENGAY, Arthritis Formula BENGAY, Vanishing Scent BENGAY Gel, Greaseless BENGAY Pain Relieving Cream and Ultra Strength BENGAY Pain Relieving Patch. The active ingredient in all the formulas is menthol, but Ultra Stregth BENGAY, Greaseless BENGAY and Arthritis Formula also contain methyl salicylate, a wintergreen-scented chemical. Ultra Strenth BENGAY also contains camphor, a crystalline solid from the wood of the camphor laurel, which acts as a slight local anesthetic.
Inactive ingredients in BENGAY Pain Relieving Cream are edetate disodium, a chelating agent; glyceryl stearate SE, a widely used cream base; lanolin, a natural oil obtained from sheep; polysorbate 80, an emulsifier; potassium carbomer, an emulsion stabilizer; potassium stearate, also an emulsifier; stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid; triethanolamine, another emulsifier; carbomer, a polymer used to thicken, suspend, stabilize, and emulsify; triethanolamine stearate, a surfactant; water (purified); and carbomer 940, a thickening agent.
Mentholatum Deep Heating Rub
Mentholatum Deep Heating Rub still uses its original formula, with 8 percent menthol and 30 percent methyl salicylate as the only active ingredients. Inactive ingredients in the product are glyceryl stearate; isoceteth 20, an emulsifier; poloxamer 407, a surfactant; water (purified); quaternium 15, a preservative; sodium lauryl sulfate, a surfactant; and sorbitan stearate, an emulsifier.
Mineral Ice
Mineral Ice is a non-greasy topical pain reliever that comes in a light blue gel formula. Its active ingredient is 2 percent menthol. It also contains the inactive ingredients ammonium hydroxide, a neutralization chemical; Carbomer 934, a polymer; cupric sulfate, a blue dye; FD&C blue 1, a dye; isopropyl alcohol, an antiseptic; magnesium sulfate, a mineral; sodium hydroxide, a manufactured crystalline solid; thymol, a preservative; and water.
Icy Hot
Icy Hot is a pain-relieving product that comes in several formulas including the Icy Hot Patch, Roll, Sleeve, Gel and Balm. Icy Hot's active ingredient is menthol, and it varies from 2.5 percent in the Vanishing Scent Gel to 16 percent in the Sleeve, Spray and Gel. The Cream, Balm and Stick also contain 30 percent methyl salicylate. Icy Hot labels methyl salicylate as a topical analgesic, or pain reliever.
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