What are Analgesic Sprays?
Analgesic sprays are painkillers conveyed by a pump or pressurized compartments. Analgesic sprays may contain medications like salicylates and ibuprofen. They may also contain oils, herbal extracts, and commonly capsicum which is an extract from hot peppers. Other common ingredients include wintergreen, eucalyptus, peppermint, menthol, camphor and lavender.
Common Uses of Analgesic Sprays
Analgesic sprays are regularly used to treat:
- Joint and muscle pains
- Sports related injuries
- Arthritis
Using Analgesic Sprays
To get the best result from and minimize any negative effects of these sprays:
- Read the instructions before using
- Never apply them to open wounds
- Wash your hands well after using a spray
Benefits of Analgesic Sprays
A key benefit of analgesic sprays is that the active ingredients work at or close to whether they are applied. This results in much less side effects compared to drugs which are taken orally. For instance, oral painkillers containing NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may bring about a stomach upset when taken orally, while an NSAID spray of the same substance won’t bring about such issues.
Limitations of Analgesic Sprays
Analgesic sprays should not be used in the following conditions
- In open wounds or exposed skin conditions
- During pregnancy and while breastfeeding
- In people with skin allergies
Author Info
