1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Arthritis

Topical Counter-Irritants (Arthricare, Icy Hot, Mineral Ice)

Topical counter-irritant products like Arthricare, Icy Hot and Mineral Ice work on minor arthritis pain by creating a feeling of warmth or coolness over a sore area or painful joint. They can vary widely in their active ingredients and may contain such substances as camphor, eucalyptus, menthol or wintergreen.
BENGAY - What You Need to Know
BENGAY is a topical formulation that is used to treat minor aches and pains often associated with arthritis. BENGAY products create heat right at the source of your pain.
Arthritis Cream - Top Arthritis Cream Products
Arthritis creams can be effective for soothing minor arthritis and muscle pain. Some contain the active ingredient salicylate while others are based on the pain-relieving effect of capsaicin or menthol.
Eucalyptus oil overdose
Poisoning from an overdose of eucalyptus oil.
Mint Oil and Menthol: Turning Over an Old Leaf
Mint oil and menthol, used by ancient Greeks and Chinese to treat sprains, joint pain, and inflammation, inspired scientists at the University of Edinburgh to discover a new pain treatment regimen. Although seems like "common sense" that applying a cold compress to an achy joint helps curb pain, the biological mechanisms underlying why it worked were still unclear, from Creakyjoints.
Explore Arthritis
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Arthritis
  4. Arthritis Medications
  5. A - Z: Topical Medications
  6. Topical Counter Irritants

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.