Ben-Gay Problems?

by: AndreaDow
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Word Count: 289

Thursday, September 20th

Within the last year, there was a very sad story about a young athlete, Arielle Newman, who died from overuse of Ben-Gay. I think that scared many consumers about using the product. Should we all toss Ben-Gay if we have it in our homes? Is it even safe to use?

According to the Free Republic, the track star's blood contained lethal amounts of methyl salicylate, the active ingredient found in muscle rubs such as BenGay and Icy Hot. A spokeswomen for the medical examiner's office said the petite girl used the topical medication excessively. If methyl salicylate is used an excess, it can be poisonous, but this is extremely rare. Health Magazine and Karlis Ullis, MD, of Santa Monica, California report that heavy, repeated application can cause toxic levels to build up in the blood which can lead to problems like internal bleeding and neurological problems.

Unfortunately all over-the-counter products are not safe just because they are available without prescription. If you are going to use muscle soothing creams like Ben-Gay, make sure to avoid using aspirin or other salicylate products. Be sure to rub in a small amount of methyl salicylate containing creams on the affected area of the body. Your skin should be cool and dry prior to product application. Moisture on the skin (of any kind) and tight clothing or bandages covering the cream can increase absorption. Be sure to only use the creams for maximum of five days, twice a day and consider using alternative pain relief modalities such as stretching, ice and massage.

The bottom line: Ben-Gay and Icy Hot are ok to use. Just follow the above guidelines for extra precaution.

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