Most people wouldn't think twice about applying over-the-counter (OTC) creams, lotions, ointments, sprays, or patches to the skin. However, the medicines in these products can enter the body just like medicines taken by mouth. Thus, harm can happen if too much is applied to the skin. People have also had a bad skin reaction to these products. Here are a few examples of harm that occurred with OTC products applied to the skin.
Chemical burns. After a patient was hospitalized in 2013 for second degree burns on his chest after applying Icy Hot Medicated Patches, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted consumers about this risk. An analysis of FDA's adverse event reporting program turned up more than 40 similar cases in which people reported serious skin injuries after applying certain OTC pain relievers. The injuries ranged from mild to severe chemical burns with the use of topical muscle and joint pain relievers such as Icy Hot, Bengay, Capzasin, Flexall, and Mentholatum. These products generally contain menthol, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin. In many cases, burns occurred after just one application, with severe burning or blistering occurring within 24 hours.
Too much medicine used and absorbed. The death of a 17-year-old girl (Figure 1) was blamed on using too much cream for muscle aches. She was a cross country runner and had been using the cream all over her legs to soothe aching muscles after exercise. Heat and exercise can increase the amount of topical medicine entering your body. The young girl apparently absorbed high levels of methyl salicylate, an anti-inflammatory medicine related to aspirin that is found in Bengay and Icy Hot. Using too much over days or weeks can cause a chronic poisoning called salicylism, which, as in this case, can be lethal.
Even though harm does not happen often, when using topical medicines applied to the skin, be sure to follow the directions and heed any warnings found on the Drug Facts label on all OTC medicines. Also follow these important safety tips.
Don't apply topical pain relievers onto damaged or irritated skin.
Don't apply bandages to the area where you've applied a topical muscle and joint pain reliever.
Don't apply heat in the form of heating pads, hot water bottles, or heat lamps to the area of the skin where the medicine was applied. Doing so increases the risk of serious burns and also causes the body to absorb too much of the drug.
Don't apply plastic wrap over the area where these products were applied, unless told to do so by your doctor, as this also increases heat and drug absorption.
Don't allow these products to come in contact with the eyes and mucous membranes (such as the skin inside your nose, mouth, or genitals).
It's normal for products used for muscle pain relief to produce a warming or cooling sensation where you've applied them. But if you feel actual pain after applying them, look for signs of blistering or burning. If you see any of these signs, stop using the product and seek medical attention.
Use the medicine exactly as stated on the label, or exactly as your doctor told you. Don't use more of the medicine than prescribed, and do not use it more often or longer than recommended.
Apply creams, ointments, gels, and sprays sparingly and only on the areas needed, not all over your body. More medicine can be absorbed from around skin areas that rub together, like under the breasts or between the buttocks, so apply very sparingly to these areas.
Since some cosmetic procedures may be performed without a medical doctor present (e.g., laser hair removal), consider talking to a pharmacist, doctor, or nurse about any creams or ointments you are instructed to apply to the skin.
Talk to a pharmacist when buying prescription and OTC creams, ointments, sprays, gels, and patches, to learn how to use the products safely. Learn what side effects are possible and what to do about them if they happen.
