How Do Topical Pain Medications Work?

A super active weekend, full of outdoor activities can leave your arms and legs aching. The excessive production of lactic acid in the limbs can result in cramps and severe pain that are left unrelieved even after medication. In such cases, topical creams, spray, or even point relief pain relieving roll-on could subside the pain. But how do these roll-ons work?

What are topical medications?
Topical creams or sprays are rubbed on the affected area to relieve pain. The pain relieving ingredients get absorbed by the skin through tiny skin pores. The most common and widely used ingredients in these topical pain relievers include:

1.Capsaicin
A key ingredient of chilly peppers, capsaicin produces a warm tingling sensation when applied on the skin. It has a great effect on alleviating joint pain and relieving diabetic nerve pain. This tingling burning sensation lasts for a few seconds only.

2.Salicylates
It possesses the same pain relieving effect as anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin and ibrufen do. It blocks the nerve impulse transmission when absorbed through the skin. It helps in reducing swelling, pain, and stiffness on the neck, arms, back, and legs.

3.Counter irritants
Made from eucalyptus oil, menthol, and methylsalicylate, these produce a burning and cooling sensation to relieve pain.

How do they work?
The ingredients present in these ointments and roll-ons are absorbed by the skin to soothe pain. However, the rate of absorption varies from person to person. And then there’s the placebo effect that comes into play. It is the patient’s expectations from a particular treatment that can relieve or alleviate pain. Applying topical medications on painful areas is said to have fewer side effects than taking pills. Consuming analgesics, like ibrufen, involves gastrointestinal absorption and circulation of the drug through the blood. This can result in side effects or ineffectiveness in reacting with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Whereas point relief pain relieving roll-ons have very mild side effects.

Why should one use these?
Topical medications are convenient and easy to use. With so many manufacturers coming up with products like aerosol sprays and roll-ons, pain relieving roll-ons can be found anywhere. Also, if you want to avoid popping a pill every time your joints or injuries hurt, apply these on skin. The strong smell and easy absorption process make them a preferred choice over traditional medicines.


Author’s bio: The author is a blogger and the article is about topical roll ons.