Dominic Stone
Pain-relieving patches can be an effective way to manage muscle and joint aches, but they can also cause skin irritation, including redness, itching, and, in some cases, burning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about certain over-the-counter (OTC) topical muscle and joint pain relievers, which have been linked to rare cases of serious burns, ranging from first- to third-degree. These products typically contain active ingredients such as menthol, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin, and are available as patches, balms, creams, or lotions. It's important to carefully follow the instructions provided with these products and consult a healthcare professional if any adverse reactions occur.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle patch types | Lidocaine, Capsaicin, Bengay, Icy Hot |
| Lidocaine patch use | Prescription medication applied to the skin to reduce pain and discomfort |
| Capsaicin patch use | Non-prescription medication used to relieve minor pain in muscles and joints |
| Side effects | Skin irritation, redness, itching, and burning |
| FDA warning | Rare cases of serious chemical burns from over-the-counter patches |
| Muscle burn causes | Lactic acid build-up, micro-tears in the muscle |
| Muscle burn remedies | Massage, icing, stretching, yoga, anti-inflammatory pain relievers, light exercise |
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What You'll Learn
- Lidocaine patches can burn the skin and cause skin irritation, redness, itching, and discomfort
- Capsaicin patches can cause severe burning and blistering within 24 hours of application
- Over-the-counter topical muscle pain relievers can cause first- to third-degree chemical burns
- Muscle burn after a workout is caused by micro-tears in the muscle and can be relieved with a massage, icing, or yoga
- Prescription patches should not be applied to open wounds, cuts, irritated skin, or skin affected by rashes
Lidocaine patches can burn the skin and cause skin irritation, redness, itching, and discomfort
Lidocaine patches are medicated patches that contain the local anaesthetic lidocaine. They are applied to the skin to reduce pain and discomfort. The patches are designed to adhere to the skin, allowing the anaesthetic to seep through the skin and into the underlying tissues. This blocks the nerve signals that cause pain, resulting in a decrease in pain symptoms.
Lidocaine patches can be used to relieve pain from various conditions, including muscle pain, nerve pain, joint pain, post-surgical pain, arthritis, shingles, and cancer. They can also be used to provide relief from itching associated with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
While lidocaine patches are generally safe, they can cause side effects such as skin irritation, redness, itching, and discomfort. In some cases, the patches may burn the skin. It is important to follow the instructions provided with the patches and only use them as directed by a doctor or pharmacist. Before applying a lidocaine patch, ensure that the area of skin is clean, dry, and healthy. Avoid placing the patch on areas with broken skin, rashes, burns, or other skin problems. If irritation or a burning sensation occurs, remove the patch immediately and do not reapply it until the irritation subsides.
If you experience any unusual or persistent side effects, be sure to contact your doctor. It is also important to store and dispose of lidocaine patches properly, keeping them out of the reach of children and pets.
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Capsaicin patches can cause severe burning and blistering within 24 hours of application
Capsaicin is a chemical compound extracted from chillies and is responsible for the burning sensation in the mouth when eating spicy food. It is a key ingredient in creams and patches that can provide pain relief. When applied to the skin, capsaicin helps block pain messages to the nerves.
Capsaicin patches are used to relieve minor pain in muscles and joints caused by arthritis, backaches, muscle strains, bruises, cramps, and sprains. They are available over the counter and by prescription. Prescription capsaicin patches are used to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy.
While capsaicin patches can be effective for pain relief, they can also cause severe burning and blistering within 24 hours of application. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports of people developing chemical burns after using capsaicin patches. In some cases, severe burning or blistering occurred within less than 24 hours of applying the product. Some people required hospitalization due to the severity of the burns.
It is important to be cautious when using capsaicin patches. If severe burning or blistering occurs, stop using the patch immediately and consult a doctor. To reduce the risk of burns, do not use capsaicin patches on damaged or irritated skin, and avoid applying bandages over the patches. Additionally, avoid using heating pads, heat lamps, or hot water bottles while using capsaicin patches, as this can increase the risk of burns.
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Over-the-counter topical muscle pain relievers can cause first- to third-degree chemical burns
The majority of second- and third-degree burns occurred with products containing menthol as the single active ingredient and products containing both menthol and methyl salicylate, at concentrations greater than 3% menthol and 10% methyl salicylate. Some cases of first-degree burns were also reported. Many cases occurred following a single application of the product, with severe burning or blistering occurring within 24 hours. Some cases required hospitalization due to serious complications.
It is important to note that these topical muscle pain relievers should not be applied to wounds or damaged, broken, or irritated skin. They should also not come into contact with eyes and mucous membranes, such as the skin inside the nose, mouth, or genitals. To reduce the risk of burns, do not use these products on skin that is damaged or irritated, and do not apply bandages or local heat sources such as heating pads, lamps, or hot water bottles over them.
If you experience any side effects, such as skin irritation, redness, itching, or burning, contact your doctor. For more severe allergic reactions, including hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, seek immediate medical attention. It is also important to follow the instructions on the label carefully and use these products as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.
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Muscle burn after a workout is caused by micro-tears in the muscle and can be relieved with a massage, icing, or yoga
Muscle burn during a workout is often caused by a quick buildup of metabolites and lactic acid, which occurs when muscles use energy faster than oxygen can reach them. This triggers anaerobic respiration, which turns pyruvate into lactic acid. Initially, this serves as quick fuel, but when there is an excess, pH levels in the muscles drop, resulting in that familiar burning sensation.
However, muscle burn after a workout is often due to microscopic tears and muscle damage, known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). This is caused by intense exercise, which can create tiny tears in the muscle fibers. The body responds to this damage by increasing inflammation, leading to soreness and that burning feeling in the muscles.
DOMS can affect anyone, regardless of their fitness level, especially after trying a new activity or increasing the workout's intensity. Usually, the muscles will stop aching in 2 to 5 days, and the pain tends to peak about 1 to 3 days after the workout. It is important to note that DOMS rarely requires a doctor's visit, but if the pain interferes with your daily activities or persists for more than 5 days, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
There are several ways to relieve muscle burn and soreness caused by DOMS. One effective method is to get a massage 24 to 72 hours after an intense workout, with 48 hours post-workout being the optimal time. Massage helps reduce soreness and can aid in muscle recovery. Additionally, using a foam roller right after exercising may also help prevent severe cases of DOMS.
Other methods to alleviate muscle burn include icing the affected area and practicing yoga or gentle stretching. Icing can help reduce inflammation and provide a numbing effect, while gentle movement practices like yoga can aid in muscle recovery and flexibility. It is also important to stay hydrated, as drinking enough water helps move nutrients to the muscles and eliminates waste products like lactic acid.
By understanding the causes of muscle burn and implementing appropriate relief measures, individuals can effectively manage their muscle soreness and improve their recovery process after intense workouts.
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Prescription patches should not be applied to open wounds, cuts, irritated skin, or skin affected by rashes
Prescription patches, such as lidocaine and capsaicin, are used to relieve pain and discomfort. They are applied to the skin, with the former being used to treat muscle pain, nerve pain, itching, joint pain, post-surgical pain, arthritis pain, shingles pain, and cancer pain. The latter is used to relieve pain in muscles and joints caused by arthritis, backaches, muscle strains, bruises, cramps, and sprains.
However, these prescription patches should not be applied to open wounds, cuts, irritated skin, or skin affected by rashes. This is because they can cause skin irritation, redness, itching, and burning. In rare cases, they can even cause severe chemical burns. If these side effects occur, it is important to remove the patch and not reapply it until the irritation has subsided. If the side effects persist or worsen, it is recommended to contact a doctor.
Additionally, it is advised to avoid using heating pads, heat lamps, or hot water bottles with these patches, as it can increase the likelihood of burning. It is also important to follow the directions on the prescription label and apply the patches exactly as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.
To reduce the risk of burns, it is recommended to avoid using pain-relieving patches on damaged or irritated skin and to refrain from applying bandages over the patches. Furthermore, it is crucial to be cautious when using over-the-counter topical muscle and joint pain relievers, as they have been associated with rare cases of serious burns, ranging from first-degree to third-degree burns.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle patches are over-the-counter or prescription products that are applied to the skin to relieve muscle pain. They are available as single- or combination-ingredient products that contain menthol, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin.
In rare cases, yes. The FDA has warned that certain over-the-counter muscle patches can cause severe chemical burns. Most of the more severe burns were associated with products that contained a combination of menthol and methyl salicylate, often at a high dose.
If you experience severe burning, remove the patch immediately and contact your doctor. You should also report side effects from the use of over-the-counter muscle patches to the FDA MedWatch program.
