What do Salonpas products treat?
Salonpas products are used on your skin to treat certain types of pain, including muscle and joint aches and pains. Salonpas products have one or more of the following types of ingredients to help temporarily improve your aches or pain.
- Topical analgesic (camphor, capsaicin, menthol), which provides pain relief
- Topical anesthetic (benzyl alcohol, lidocaine), which numbs the area
- Topical NSAID or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (methyl salicylate), which provides pain relief
There are Salonpas products for adults and children as young as 12 years old.
What are the possible side effects of Salonpas products?
Side effects may vary depending on the ingredients in the specific product you are using. Some people may have mild skin irritation or burning.
Stop using the medicine if you develop a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
What should I know before using Salonpas products?
Salonpas products are for external use only. Do not use Salonpas products on rashes, wounds, or damaged skin. Do not get Salonpas products in your eyes, and do not swallow the medicine.
When using Salonpas products, do not bandage the area tightly or use a heating pad where you applied it. Do not use a large amount or more than directed. Some products should not be used around the time you are taking a bath or shower, and some should not be used if you are sweating. Some products are flammable. The instructions for how to use a Salonpas product vary widely, so read and follow the instructions for your product closely.
Stop using a Salonpas product and ask your health care provider right away if you have any of the following.
- Pain, swelling, blistering, rash, burning, or irritation of the skin
- Your condition worsens or your symptoms last for three to seven days or more (depending on the product)
- Symptoms go away and come back within a few days
- Stomach pain or upset, feel faint, have bloody or black stools, or vomit blood
Products With a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID). Some Salonpas products contain methyl salicylate, which is an NSAID. Do not use these products if you are allergic to NSAIDs or aspirin, or ask your health care provider if you are not sure. Do not use these products right before or after heart surgery. An NSAID may increase your risk of stomach bleeding, especially if you use it for longer than directed or have certain risk factors. The risk of stroke or heart attack may also go up if you use an NSAID for longer than directed or more often than directed. Talk to your health care provider before using a Salonpas product with methyl salicylate if any of the following apply to you.
- 60 years of age or older
- Stomach ulcers or bleeding problems
- High blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney problems
- Take a blood thinner, a steroid, a diuretic (water pill), or another NSAID (including aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen)
- Have three or more alcoholic drinks every day
Talk with your health care provider before using a Salonpas product if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Salonpas product you are using. Always check the label before taking or using any over-the-counter medicine. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.
Which Salonpas product is right for my symptoms?
The Salonpas product that is best for you may depend on certain factors, such as the following.
- Your age
- How long the product is expected to relieve your pain
- Which ingredients you prefer
- Which method of application you prefer, such as a patch, cream, gel, liquid, or spray
If you are 18 years or older and looking for up to 12 hours of pain relief with a patch, consider one of these options.
- Salonpas Pain Relief Patch (menthol, methyl salicylate): available in two different sizes
- Salonpas Arthritis Pain Patch (menthol, methyl salicylate)
If you are looking for up to eight hours of relief with a patch using three pain relievers (camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate), consider the following options.
- Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch: available in two different sizes
If you are looking for up to eight hours of relief with a patch with numbing effects of lidocaine, consider one of these options.
- Salonpas Lidocaine Pain Relieving Gel Patch
- Salonpas Lidocaine Flex Patch (may allow for more movement due to flexible fabric)
If you are looking for up to eight hours of relief with a patch with warming effects from capsaicin, consider one of these options.
- Salonpas HOT Patch
- Salonpas Pain Relieving Gel Patch HOT (contains menthol, which provides a cooling effect, and capsaicin, which provides a warming effect)
If you are looking for up to eight hours of pain relief without using a patch, consider one of these options.
- Salonpas Deep Relieving Gel (camphor, menthol, methyl salicylate)
- Salonpas Jet Spray (menthol, methyl salicylate)
- Salonpas Lidocaine Plus Pain Relieving Cream (benzyl alcohol, lidocaine)
- Salonpas Lidocaine Plus Pain Relieving Liquid Roll On (benzyl alcohol, lidocaine)