Do you suffer from arthritis and desperate to find relief for what ails you? The inflamed joints from arthritis can trigger a fair bit of pain and limit your ability to move. If you have arthritis, you most likely desire as many pain relief choices as possible.
If you are reading this, then you may have tried exercise and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers that are taken orally. These consist of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Regrettably, these treatments are often not enough and not always convenient.
One option that you might want to consider is to try an OTC (over the counter) pain relief cream that can help improve your condition. Read on for an overview of the latter and whether it is indeed the right solution to your problem.
How do arthritis creams work?
Before you go out and buy arthritis cream , it would be prudent to learn a thing or two about how it works. Arthritis creams assist in alleviating joint pain when applied to the skin. They can offer short-term but practical relief. Arthritis creams are often beneficial for reducing pain in joints that lie just below the surface of the skin such as finger and knee joints.
The primary pain-relieving active ingredients in arthritis creams are salicylates, counterirritants, and capsaicin. Salicylates minimise inflammation (swelling and redness). Capsaicin is a natural, odour-free element seen in hot chilli peppers. It lowers discomfort by blocking the skin’s pain receptors. These ingredients assist in reducing pressure and pain in the joints.
Some brands of arthritis creams likewise consist of other active ingredients such as menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, and cinnamon oil. These compounds are called counterirritants. They warm or cool the skin and sidetrack the brain from discomfort.
Safe use of arthritis creams
Although arthritis creams are OTC items, you still need to be mindful about its’ proper use. Consider the following tips to help ensure safe, reliable use of arthritis creams.
For starters, make sure that you go through the bundled instructions that come with the product. Wash your hands before and after you apply the cream to prevent infection. Never touch your eyes or nose when you have arthritis cream on your hands.
Concerning the frequency of use, it is typically recommended that you limit application up to a maximum of four times a day or once every 6 hours. Unless of course, the bundled instructions say differently. Just like everything else, excessive use can have adverse side effects such as skin blisters, swelling and severe skin irritation.
Stop using the cream if it triggers any irritation or if you observe that your skin is sensitive to it. If you have delicate skin or allergic to aspirin, ask your physician if you must avoid salicylates. Your doctor might recommend that you avoid using arthritis cream entirely if you are on blood thinning medications. To prevent adverse effects, use salicylate creams just occasionally unless your physician informs you otherwise.
