Pain is a sensation that is experienced as a result of damage or potential damage to the body. It is a way for the body to alert the brain that something is wrong and that action needs to be taken to protect the body. The stimulation of the nervous system is the root cause of this condition.
For people seeking relief from muscle aches, joint pain or other types of discomfort, topical pain relievers may offer a viable alternative to oral medication. These products can provide targeted relief without the need for oral medications, and they offer some advantages over conventional topical treatments.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the various types of topical pain relievers available, how they work and when to use them, as well as their potential benefits and drawbacks. We will also discuss some tips for using them safely and effectively. Whether you are looking for a natural alternative to oral pain medication or simply want a convenient way to target specific areas of discomfort, topical pain relievers may be worth considering.
What are topical pain relievers?
Topical pain relievers are medications that you use directly on the skin. This means they don’t go into your bloodstream, so their effects are limited to the area where you apply them. Topical pain relievers can be an effective way to treat mild to moderate pain without the potential side effects associated with oral medications.
What are topical pain relievers used for?
Topical pain relievers are often used to treat joint and muscle pain, back pain, or headaches. They can also be useful for people who have difficulty swallowing pills. They may also help bring down swelling and inflammation.
What are the types of topical pain relievers available?
These are the five main types of topical pain relievers. Their composition varies depending on their intended use and the type of pain being treated.
- Spray
- Gel
- Ointment
- Cream
- Patch
What are pain relief sprays?
Sprays work well on areas like your back that are difficult to reach. The spray rapidly relieves pain by delivering a powerful burst of cooling menthol. The benefit of pain killer spray is that there are no sticky drips or oily aftertaste. Sprays provide fast pain relief, making them more beneficial for treating acute pain from injuries like ankle sprain, knee sprains, and back muscle spasms. The best pain relief sprays that are readily available in India are-
- Dr. Ortho
- Volini
- Relispray Nitron Spray
- Amrutanjan Spray
- Moov Spray
- Pain Kranti
What are pain-relief gels?
Gels are a less oily alternative to lotions and ointments, but they can quickly dry up your skin, especially if the product is alcohol-based. The majority of gels contain counterirritants, which combine the effects of cold and heat to provide soothing relief. Most of these medicines contain capsaicin, which gives warmth, and menthol, which cools the affected area to provide pain relief for up to eight hours. Gels can be applied to relieve shoulder, upper, and lower back discomfort. The best pain relief gels in India that are readily available in the market are-
What are pain-relief Ointments?
There are two different kinds of ointments. The ones that contain capsaicin function by mildly causing burning and skin irritation boosting blood flow to the area, and offering relief. Skin scorching occurs gradually and is under control. You must stop using it and see a doctor if the irritation continues at a certain point. The other type of ointment contains menthol and compounds that are similar to aspirin and painkillers. Ointments are effective in alleviating painful, dull discomfort. The best pain relieving ointment available in the market is:-
What are pain relief Creams?
Pain relief creams typically have less greasiness than ointments. Although incredibly effective, creams can only offer short-term relief from arthritic pain. Most creams contain anti-irritants, which can heat the skin and divert the brain’s attention from the pain. Pain is lessened by blocking the skin’s pain receptors, which is accomplished by the common chemical capsaicin found in creams for pain relief. The best pain-relief creams available are-
- Flector (diclofenac epolamine): A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
- Lidoderm (lidocaine): A local anesthetic.
- Duragesic (fentanyl): An opioid pain medication.
What are pain-relief patches?
Well! When patches are applied to the skin, the medicine gets absorbed via the skin. To alleviate pain, there are a few distinct kinds of patches. One kind includes an ibuprofen-like anti-inflammatory. Some side effects, such as stomach discomfort, are reduced by administering the medication in this manner. The other form of pain patch contains narcotic pain medication, while another variety uses a topical anesthetic that numbs the area and is similar to Xylocaine.
A prospective observational study was conducted that was approved by the Institutional Review Board. It was used to look at patients who were given an over-the-counter pain patch with methyl salicylate 10%, menthol 6%, and camphor 3.1%.
A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a topical analgesic pain-relieving patch in patients with mild to moderate arthritic, neurological, or musculoskeletal pain to reduce pain severity and enhance function.
This Institutional Review Board-approved study examined the effectiveness of a topical pain-relieving patch in lowering patients’ Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) scores. Patches were given to the treatment group (TG) (n=152) for 14 days.
At day 14, the pain severity and interference scores for TG (treatment group) decreased by 49% and 58.1%, respectively.
Based on these results, the pain patches tested were both effective and safe for relieving mild to moderate pain caused by arthritis, neurological conditions, and musculoskeletal disorders.
These results show that this analgesic pain-relieving patch should be used as a first-line treatment and should be considered for future pain management guidelines as part of multimodal pain treatment regimens.
How effective are Topical pain relievers?
According to a study conducted to give a general overview of the analgesic effectiveness and related side effects of topical analgesics used to treat adults with acute and chronic pain, primarily nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), salicylate rubefacients, capsaicin, and lidocaine.
The primary outcome was defined as at least fifty percent, as reported by participants, pain relief for an adequate amount of time.
Things to know
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to check with your doctor before using any pain reliever, including a topical one. Some topical pain relievers can interfere with certain other medicines, so it’s important to tell your doctor if you are taking anything else.
Conclusion
Topical pain relievers are significantly beneficial for many people. They are safe, easy to use, and effective. If you have any questions about topical pain relief or would like to learn more we encourage you to get in touch with us today! You can order branded and generic medicines by uploading your prescription on the Truemeds app. When placing an order for medicines online, you may save money by selecting alternative or generic medicine advised by Truemed’s expert doctors. Save up to 72% on your purchase and get *free home delivery pan India.
Disclaimer – The information presented here should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical conditions, nor should it be used in a medical emergency. A qualified medical professional should be consulted to diagnose and treat all medical conditions.
FAQs
Their composition has capsaicin, menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil. The area is heated and these active ingredients numb the pain receptors. Particularly menthol is well known for its numbing and cooling properties.
Personal preference ultimately determines what is best, but it’s critical to carefully consider the products’ active ingredients. Capsaicin may only be available in a gel form if you’re seeking an easy-to-apply spray. Determining what you’re looking for initially requires reading the label.
References –
- Derry, S., Wiffen, P. J., Kalso, E. A., Bell, R. F., Aldington, D., Phillips, T., Gaskell, H., & Moore, R. A. (2017). Topical analgesics for acute and chronic pain in adults ‐ an overview of Cochrane Reviews. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008609.pub2
- Gudin, J. A., Dietze, D. T., & Hurwitz, P. L. (2020). Improvement of Pain and Function After Use of a Topical Pain Relieving Patch: Results of the RELIEF Study. Journal of Pain Research, 13, 1557-1568. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S258883
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