Active Ingredients: Camphor (3.1%), Capsicum Oleoresin (equivalent to (0.025%) Capsaicin), Menthol (10%), Methyl Salicylate (15%). Purpose: Topical Analgesic. Inactive Ingredients: Carbomer Homopolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Esters Wax, Emulsifying Wax, Oleth-3-Phosphate, Purified Water, Stearic Acid, Trolamine.

Different brands of this product have different uses. Some brands are used to treat minor aches and pains of the muscles/joints (such as arthritis, backache, sprains). Some brands are used to help relieve itching and skin irritation (such as due to sunburn, insect bites, or minor scrapes).

Ingredients such as menthol, methyl salicylate (oil of evergreen), and camphor are called counterirritants because they create a burning or cooling sensation that distracts your mind from the pain. Salicylates. These same ingredients that give aspirin its pain-relieving quality are found in some creams.

For best results, wear ThermaCare® for the full 8 hours. Using ThermaCare® for more than the recommended time can increase the risk of skin irritation or burns. ThermaCare® shouldn't be used more than 7 days in a row.

It's designed as a cloth wrap that houses several small disks made of iron powder, activated charcoal, sodium chloride, and water.

This pain relieving cream contains camphor, capsaicin, menthol, and methyl salicylate. Each of these pain relievers fall into a class of medication called counterirritants, which work by desensitizing the sensory nerve endings in the underlying muscle or joint. This alters pain perception, thus relieving pain.

Topical analgesics can be applied two to four times a day to control mild to moderate pain. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after use so you don't smear the drug into your eyes, nose, mouth, or other mucous membranes. Side effects from topical medications include redness, itching, and other skin irritation.

Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel contains an effective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine which is clinically proven to relieve arthritis joint pain. With 4-times-a-day use, you may start to feel relief within a few days. You should feel significant pain relief within 7 days of continuous use.

• 1 iReliev Topical Pain Relief Gel – Best Overall.
• 2 Workvie Joint Pain Relief Cream – Best Roll-On.
• 3 Activene Joint Pain Relief Cream – Great Value.
• 4 REMEDIAL Joint Pain Relief Cream – Best Hemp Cream.
• 5 Voltaren Joint Pain Relief Cream – Best Pain Gel.
• 6 Penetrex Joint Pain Relief Cream – Best for Muscles.

METHYL SALICYLATE (METH il sa LIS i late) relieves minor pain in your muscles and joints. It works by decreasing inflammation. It belongs to a group of medications called salicylates. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

Indeed ThermaCare® should be worn over thin clothing for those over the age of 55 and not while sleeping.

It's designed as a cloth wrap that houses several small disks made of iron powder, activated charcoal, sodium chloride, and water. When the wrap is removed from its sealed pouch and exposed to oxygen, the disks oxidize in an exothermic reaction.

This product can cause burns. 55 or older: Your risk of burning increases as you age; Wear Thermacare over a layer of clothing, not directly against your skin; Do not wear while sleeping; Check skin frequently during use - if you find irritation or a burn, remove product immediately.

The ingredients in topical pain relievers are safe, although these products should not be used on broken or irritated skin or with a heating pad or bandage. All topical analgesics should be kept away from the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Used correctly, these creams can provide temporary relief from muscle pain but they shouldn't be used for more than a week. Using too much over days or weeks is more dangerous than one-time use of a large amount of the cream. The cases are all examples of harm that can occur when applying too much medicine on the skin.

How to choose a painkiller

• Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is best used to treat mild to severe pain.
• Ibuprofen: It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that alters the way your body responds to swelling.
• Naproxen: It is an NSAID and acts by decreasing inflammation-causing hormones in the body.