Most people who struggle with arthritis are often at a loss on how to find quick and effective relief from their condition. It can be very debilitating, especially in cold and humid weather as afflicted joints tend to pulsate due to the inflammation. If you’re reading this, then you’re probably struggling with the same and wondering if arthritis creams might hold the answer to your problem.
Well, the good news is that indeed, an arthritis cream can be an effective solution for pain relief, albeit for the short-term. That said, people would do well to remember that these creams contain medicinal ingredients to provide the desired joint pain relief. Hence, it is a good idea to learn as much as you can about them if only to prevent drug interactions and the risk of adverse reactions to the body.
What you must know before using an arthritis cream
The hundreds of pain relief creams marketed for people living with arthritis are not all the same. For one thing, they can be divided into two general categories — hot and cold creams. As you may already know, different types of arthritis can require different care routines and one needs to use the right products to alleviate the condition.
For example, if you have rheumatoid arthritis, then that would mean that your join paint is due to the heat and inflammation in your joints. Such a condition is due to the immune system attacking the joints, which cause pain and inflammation. In this case, you would want to use a cooling arthritis cream to cool down the bones. Using a hot arthritis cream will only make the condition worse and may cause irreparable damage to the joints.
What’s the difference between the two types of arthritis cream?
Indeed Arthritis cream offers relief to joint pain and inflammation, but only if you choose the right one. This is because hot and cooling creams are drastically different when it comes to their active ingredients.
Cold creams generally contain salicylate, which is a drug similar to aspirin. They both induce relief from the stiffening of joints. That said, individuals who are allergic to aspirin should never use a cooling arthritis cream. Hot arthritis creams, on the other hand, contain capsaicin — an ingredient found in chilli peppers and principally responsible for warming up the joints to reduce discomfort,
Of course, hot and cooling arthritis creams are also similar in a few ways. For one thing, they both must be rubbed into the skin to work. The same is true whether the cream is applied through a tube or a roller applicator. When these substances are rubbed deep into the skin tissues, there is an immediate rejuvenating effect. Massaging these creams into the joint will help increase blood circulation, thereby providing natural relief.
Conclusion
Regardless of what type of arthritis cream you choose as appropriate to your condition, it is advised that you speak to your doctor beforehand. Doing so will help ensure that you don’t experience any adverse reactions, especially if you’re currently taking medications for other health conditions.
