There are many topical medications available on the market today that are effective for pain relief and anti-inflammation. Therefore, it is important to use these medications appropriately and safely based on the specific medical condition.
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| Pain relievers such as Celebrex, Naproxen, and Ibuprofen |
Formulations containing essential oils such as camphor, eugenol, menthol, cinnamon oil, and tea tree oil… Active ingredients with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties such as methyl salicylate, ketoprofen, and diclofenac are formulated in both hot and cold forms.
Hot formulations like salonpas (patches or gels), perkindon, deep heat, and sungaz… are commonly used for injuries such as soft tissue bruising, hematomas, sprains, strains, ligament tears, muscle cramps, and general body aches.
It is crucial not to use these hot formulations in cases of arthritis with symptoms of infection such as swelling, warmth, and redness. In these situations, products containing hot essential oils will cause vasodilation, increasing blood flow to the inflamed area, leading to further swelling and edema.
Cold formulations are more widely used, especially in sports or in areas with painful infections such as joint infections. For this type of injury, using cold medications can provide rapid pain relief due to their potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (patches and various topical alcohol rubs are also commonly used).
However, in practice, people often view superficial injuries as minor issues and tend to self-medicate with topical treatments, leading to unwanted side effects. For example, individuals with scratches or those suffering from septic bursitis should absolutely avoid medications containing hot essential oils, as these can damage the underlying skin cells.
Nevertheless, many patients use topical medications containing hot essential oils, resulting in increased swelling and redness at the inflamed site, and in some cases, even leading to ulceration and necrosis of the soft tissue at the scratched area.
Therefore, when using medications for treatment, even if they are topical, individuals should refrain from self-prescribing and should seek medical examination and guidance from healthcare professionals before use.
