Anti-Inflammatory Cream

Information about using topical anti-inflammatory cream to relieve inflammation related pain.

An anti-inflammatory cream can be applied topically to an area to relieve inflammation and reduce pain. These types of topical pain creams and rubs are most commonly used to treat sports injuries, sprains, strains, bruises as well as temporary joint and muscle pain. Inflammation and pain brought on by chronic conditions such as tendonitis, sciatica, fibromyalgia and arthritis can be relieved by using an anti-inflammatory cream, however most types of anti-inflammatory creams only provide short term relief and may not be a practical solution for dealing with chronic pain conditions.

Common ingredients found in anti-inflammatory cream

Different types of cream may contain different inflammation fighting ingredients, but all essentially work the same way. The cream is to be rubbed into the affected area and it penetrates the skin to deliver these inflammation fighting ingredients to inflamed tissues and cells. To discover furthermore information on anti-inflammatory cream, you must visit this site.

Most types of anti-inflammatory cream use a high dosage of menthol which acts to numb the affected area providing short term pain relief while the real inflammation fighting ingredients go to work. This is the heavy and sometimes overpowering scent that you will smell after applying most creams. The most common inflammation fighting ingredient found in well known creams such as “Ben Gay” and “The Icy Hot Patch” is methyl salicylate. Derived from wintergreen oil, methyl salicylate can be toxic to human beings. It is highly recommended to always check the ingredients and recommended dosage and use caution if using a cream containing methyl salicylate on a regular basis.

Safe alternatives to methyl salicylate based creams

Fortunately, there are safer alternatives to using methyl salicylate based anti-inflammatory cream. Creams containing arnica, capsaicin and cetylated fatty acids may also relieve inflammation related pain. Cetylated fatty acids (or CFAs) in particular are starting to become more well known for their ability to reduce pain and improve mobility when applied topically. Unfortunately, there are only a few creams widely available that contain CFAs, the most well known being MYO-MED anti-inflammatory cream.

Tests have shown that CFAs may provide long term healing effects in addition to the immediate relief of inflammation. This makes using an anti-inflammatory cream containing CFAs a more viable option for chronic pain conditions as this ingredient may help as a long term solution.

When choosing an anti-inflammatory cream it is always recommended to read the labels carefully so you are aware of the ingredients and proper dosage. It is also advisable to consult with a doctor before using any type of over the counter medication (be it topical or oral) on a regular basis.