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Arthritis pain: Treatments absorbed through your skin
What are topical pain medications?
What types of ingredients are used?
How well do they work?
Are there topical pain products available by prescription?
Content
How do pain medicines that go on the skin work?
Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Capsaicin
Other topical arthritis products
How well do topical products work?
Are they safe to use?
What types of ingredients are used?
How well do they work?
Are there topical pain products available by prescription?
Content
How do pain medicines that go on the skin work?
Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Capsaicin
Other topical arthritis products
How well do topical products work?
Are they safe to use?
Other topical arthritis products
Many products for treating joint pain may come in a cream, gel, spray or patch. Other topical treatments you can get without a prescription include:
- Salicylates. Salicylates (suh-LIS-uh-lates) are what relieve pain in aspirin. Topical treatments with salicylates include Aspercreme and Bengay.
- Counterirritants. These make the skin feel hot or cold. Those feelings might block pain signals. Counterirritants might contain menthol or camphor. Examples include Icy Hot and Biofreeze.
- Anesthetics. Topical anesthetics such as lidocaine cause numbness. The numb feeling reduces pain. Examples include Salonpas and Topicaine.
