Ben gay chemical that you can die from

While most of the time consumers pick BenGay up off the shelf without a second thought, the recent death of a year-old track star—because of the ointment—made the public pause. Arielle Newman, who regularly used BenGay to relieve the aches and pains resulting from her track training, died from an accidental overdose of methyl salicylate, the active ingredient found in BenGay.

Methyl. The year-old died from an accidental overdose of methyl salicylate, the wintergreen-scented ingredient found in liniments like BenGay, Icy Hot and Tiger Balm, the New York City medical examiner. Arielle Newman, a cross-country runner at Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island, died after her body absorbed high levels of methyl salicylate, an anti-inflammatory found in sports creams such as Bengay and Icy Hot, the New York City medical examiner said Friday.

Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) is a chemical that smells like wintergreen. It is used in many over-the-counter products, including muscle ache creams.

Muscle-rub blamed for athlete's death | New Scientist

It is related to aspirin. Methyl salicylate overdose occurs when someone swallows a dangerous amount of a product containing this substance. This can be by accident or on purpose. Methyl Salicylate Methyl salicylate is combined with menthol in some types of Bengay, such as Original, Muscle Pain and Arthritis Extra strength 3. Both ingredients are derived from plants such as peppermint and wintergreen.

The National Institutes of Health warns that methyl salicylate in high doses can lead to death 1. Personal vigilance is always advised. Most of these cases involved pain products containing higher concentrations of these ingredients greater than 3 percent menthol or 10 percent methyl salicylate. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers. She would not say whether the labeling requirements for methyl salicylate products might be changed.

How much bengay is too much

There were few cases reported using a capsaicin-containing product. A year-old US athlete died after an overdosing on a common muscle-rub, medical examiners have announced. Some people were hospitalized because of serious complications. Search Search. Anyone who has ever rubbed a cream, gel or other product on the skin to relieve a sore muscle or joint probably can relate to experiencing a warm or cool sensation.

Talk to a medical professional before using a product if you have concerns. All medications, whether available over the counter or by prescription, have the potential to inflict injury, said Dr. Are batteries based on contact lenses the future of energy storage? Don't use heating pads, hot water bottles or lamps on that part of the skin.

For example, apply these products only onto intact skin and don't cover the area with a bandage or heating pad. Pharmacists are on point to educate and counsel patients in the consumer setting, especially since these products are available over the counter. The agency noted that they represent only a small fraction of total consumer usage of these products.

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Life The truth about de-extinction: is it even possible, and why do it? Check for signs of blistering or burning after applying these products. Close Advertisement. Most warming this century may be due to air pollution cuts. The couple called their physician's office and spoke with a nurse, who recommended cleaning off the painkiller and applying a calming oatmeal-based lotion for a few days.

There were 43 cases reported - from to - to the FDA of burns linked to over-the-counter topical muscle and joint pain relievers containing the active ingredients menthol, methyl salicylate and capsaicin. Doing so increases the risk of serious burns. Profile My News Sign Out. Keep these products away from your eyes and mucous membranes such as the skin inside your nose, mouth or genitals. Food and Drug Administration warned today.

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