14 best pain relief ointments and creams

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Pain is always a signal of trouble in the body. And the reason for this trouble can be very different: inflammation, trauma, muscle spasm, congestive edema and much more. Therefore, compiling a rating of the best anesthetic ointments and creams, we tried to group the funds not by pharmacological groups – most non-physicians are completely uninteresting, and not even necessary – but by the location of the pains, based on the most common causes of their occurrence. Of course, this review does not exhaust all possible options, even if we do not take into account rare pathologies or atypical manifestations of diseases. Therefore, we remind you that the rating is intended solely for information and not for self-medication on the Internet.

Rating of the best pain relieving ointments and creams

Nomination	a place	Name of product	rating
The best pain relieving ointments and creams for the back or neck	1	Capsicam	5.0
	2	Nikoflex	4.9
	3	Apizartron	4.8
The best pain relieving ointments and creams for joints	1	Diclofenac ointment	5.0
	2	Ketoprofen gel	4.9
	3	Butadion ointment	4.8
	4	Teraflex hondrocrem forte	4.7
The best pain relieving ointments for muscle pain	1	Lioton gel	5.0
	2	Trombless plus	4.9
	3	Venitan	4.8
	4	GirudoVen	4.7
The best anesthetic ointments and creams	1	Dentinox gel	5.0
	2	Oflomelide ointment	4.9
	3	Emla	4.8
When to see a doctor

The best pain relieving ointments and creams for the back or neck

Back pain affects about half of people of working age every year. A sedentary lifestyle, excess weight increase the load on the spine, the muscles around it. The most common cause of back pain is muscle spasm. Such pains are usually local, that is, they are located in the same fairly well-defined area of ​​the neck, lower back or sacrum, do not 'give' to the limb, do not bend around the side. Less commonly, the back begins to ache due to radiculopathy or 'pinched nerve'. Contrary to popular opinion, such pains are not always caused by a herniated disc, but may be the result of the same muscle spasm and the accompanying edema.

In 90% of cases, acute back pain resolves on its own within 4-6 weeks. But few of those who have experienced such a state would agree to wait patiently for a month and a half until they 'let go'.

Since inflammation in such cases is not clearly expressed and is not the main cause of pain, warming ointments or creams that reduce spasm and improve blood flow are optimal.

Capsicam

Rating: 4.9

Combined ointment. As local irritating (warming) substances, it contains camphor, gum turpentine and nonivamide, a synthetic analogue of capsaicin, the hot substance of red pepper. Dimethyl sulfoxide has mild anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Benzyl nicotinate dilates blood vessels, improving blood flow in the painful area.

A special plastic applicator for application is added to the box with the product. It is not recommended to neglect them: the ointment is quite persistent and burning; By accidentally rubbing your eyes or touching the mucous membrane, you can get a lot of not the most pleasant impressions.

Having smeared with this remedy, you should not additionally wrap the sore spot: on skin damp with sweat, the activity of the active substance increases significantly, which is why instead of moderate heating you can get an unpleasant burning sensation. For the same reason, do not ignore the manufacturer's recommendations and apply more than 1-3 g of ointment to one area. When using, be sure to bypass moles, scratches, acne, and other skin damage.

If, due to increased sensitivity, overdose or contact with damaged skin, the burning sensation is too strong, you should not endure the discomfort. You need to wash off the ointment not with water, but with a swab with vegetable oil or any fatty cosmetic cream.

Should not be used for acute arthritis or for warming any acute inflammation.

Advantages

• warms up well,
• the action lasts 4 – 6 hours.

disadvantages

• may burn sensitive skin or in case of overdose.

Nikoflex

Rating: 4.5

Contains natural capsaicin and vasodilator ethyl nicotinate.

Apply to dry skin. To avoid irritation and discomfort in the first 3 days, it is recommended to apply the ointment once a day, then 2 times a day.

Contraindicated in arthritis.

Advantages

• gently warms,
• no side effects,
• allergic reactions are extremely rare.

disadvantages

• can burn.

Apizartron

Rating: 4.1

Warming ointment based on bee venom. In addition, it contains anti-inflammatory methyl salicylate and allyl isothiocyanate, another local irritant contained in mustard extract. It heats well and for a long time, but has a characteristic pronounced odor, which disgusts many patients from the drug.

It has many contraindications in addition to acute arthritis and skin lesions common to any warming ointment: intolerance to bee venom, mustard, salicylates, hepatic or renal failure, hematopoietic disorders, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Advantages

• almost natural composition,
• soft and long lasting effect.

disadvantages

• due to bee venom, the likelihood of allergies is high;
• many contraindications;
• unpleasant smell.

Before using any warming ointment, it is better to do a sensitivity test – apply a minimum amount of the product to the wrist or the area near the elbow. If an unbearable burning sensation, itching, rash does not appear within half an hour, the remedy can be used. Redness is a normal reaction to local irritation, which means that the vessels have expanded.

The best pain relieving ointments and creams for joints

The causes of pain in the joints can be many – from banal intoxication in acute infection to specific inflammation in tuberculosis or syphilis. Arthritis – inflammation of the joint – can be accompanied even by pathologies that seem far from the musculoskeletal system such as prostatitis (gonococcal arthritis), dysentery (dysenteric arthritis), viral hepatitis or septic endocarditis. Therefore, the optimal tactic for any pain that appears is to consult a doctor, find the cause and receive appropriate treatment. Which we highly recommend our readers do.

But in the real world, getting to the doctor in a timely manner and quickly passing all the necessary examinations is far from always possible, therefore in this section of the rating we will consider anesthetic ointments and creams that can help with various kinds of joint pain.

Attention: in case of joint pain without an established diagnosis, it is categorically impossible to use warming ointments or creams from the previous section of the rating. Heating and increased blood flow in acute inflammation (arthritis) only enhances the pathological process, contributing to the spread of infection.

Therefore, for pain in the joints, ointments and creams with an anti-inflammatory effect are most often recommended. It must be remembered that when applied to the skin, no more than 6% of the active substance gets into the deep layers of tissues. Therefore, pain relieving ointments and joint creams should be applied every 4 to 6 hours.

Diclofenac ointment

Rating: 4.8

A time-tested remedy that has proven its effectiveness. It has very few contraindications: skin damage (including eczema or psoriasis), intolerance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including aspirin asthma or urticaria), age up to 6 years, 3 trimester of pregnancy and lactation. Approved for use in the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy.

Advantages

• economy,
• a small number of contraindications.

disadvantages

• not.

Ketoprofen gel

Rating: 4.4

The active ingredient of the drug has a pronounced analgesic and moderate anti-inflammatory effect. It is absorbed rather slowly, practically does not accumulate in the blood plasma, which makes it relatively safe. However, it is not approved for use during pregnancy and lactation, since, for obvious reasons, the safety has not been studied. Cannot be applied to damaged skin; use in children under 12 years of age.

Advantages

• pronounced analgesic effect.
• relatively few contraindications.

disadvantages

• possible side reactions.

Butadion ointment

Rating: 4.0

Another inexpensive ointment based on a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Reduces the intensity of pain, swelling and inflammation. Contraindications are standard for this group of drugs – intolerance to any NSAIDs, skin damage, children (up to 14 years old). Not approved for use in the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy and lactation.

The product increases the sensitivity to sunlight, so in summer the areas of the skin to which the ointment was applied should be covered with clothes or sunscreen with a high SPF level should be used.

Advantages

• a small number of contraindications.

disadvantages

• increases photosensitivity.

Teraflex hondrocrem forte

Rating: 3.8

In addition to the anti-inflammatory substance – meloxicam – it contains chondroitin sulfate, which helps to restore the tissue of the articular cartilage.

We placed it at the end of the rating section because not only anti-inflammatory drugs, but also chondroprotectors are needed for all joint problems. Usually, such drugs are prescribed for osteoarthritis (the old name is osteoarthritis), chronic diseases in which articular cartilage is destroyed.

The drug is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation, since meloxicam, when tested on rats, increased the likelihood of fetal pathologies. It is difficult to predict how much of it will enter the bloodstream and pass through the placenta or breast milk, but it is hardly reasonable to experiment on yourself. You can not use the cream if you are allergic to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, children under 12 years old and on areas of damaged skin.

Advantages

• contains not only anti-inflammatory, but also a chondroprotector;

disadvantages

• limited range of indications.

The best pain relieving ointments for muscle pain

Many people know that muscles can hurt from increased stress or after an injury. But few non-specialists are aware that pain in the calf muscles and cramps in the legs at night are most often caused by varicose veins. According to statistics, up to 30% of all people suffer from it, and up to half of the patients do not know about their disease.

The fact is that the first stages of varicose veins do not appear outwardly at all, making themselves felt only by evening and night pains, incomprehensible itching or burning, edema, convulsions. As the disease progresses, 'spiders' appear on the skin, which are perceived as an unpleasant but harmless cosmetic flaw. And only in the later stages of the disease do venous nodes appear – a classic sign of the disease. At this stage, no pills, ointments and creams can restore the normal structure of the venous wall, so the only way to get rid of the node is to remove it surgically or using a laser or sclerotherapy. But pain relieving ointments can support microcirculation and reduce pain caused by venous congestion. In the early stages, when there are still no symptoms that could be presented to the doctor, such funds can be the main method of therapy, later they can be used in complex treatment, especially in the summer, when compression hosiery is inconvenient.

Leg pain is caused by varicose veins if:

1. appear in the evening, after a working day spent sitting or standing;
2. decrease if you lie down with raised legs;
3. disappear after a walk or other physical activity;
4. worse in the period before menstruation.

But the funds from this section of the rating are effective not only for varicose veins, but also for injuries or muscle pains caused by increased stress. Despite the different reasons for the appearance, the pathological process itself in these conditions is quite similar: edema caused by increased permeability of the vascular wall, hypercoagulation due to a slowdown in blood flow, pain. Therefore, any anesthetic cream from this section can also be used for trauma, overtraining, to get rid of bruises and other similar conditions.

Lioton gel

Rating: 4.7

It has already become a classic heparin-based remedy. In theory, it has many analogues, ranging from cheap heparin ointment. In practice, clinical guidelines for the treatment of varicose veins indicate that local agents containing heparin are effective at a concentration of at least 500-1000 IU in 1 gram, so most of the drugs available on the market are eliminated due to too low a concentration of the active substance. In addition to heparin, it contains neroli and lavender oils.

A colorless transparent gel with a characteristic, but mildly pronounced odor. Improves microcirculation, helps to reduce edema, has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect, prevents thrombosis. It can be used not only for varicose veins, but also after injuries or to speed up the resorption of bruises – however, this applies to most of the anesthetic ointments and creams in this section of the rating.

It has a minimum of contraindications: damage to the skin and a violation of blood clotting.

Advantages

• high concentration of the active substance.
• minimum of contraindications

disadvantages

• relatively high price.

Trombless plus

Rating: 4.3

It is based on the same heparin (1000 IU per 100 g), dexpanthenol, which increases tissue regeneration; troxerutin, which improves vascular tone, contributes to the restoration of the vascular wall, and also has anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous and antioxidant activity; local anesthetic benzocaine.

The complex action in combination with an affordable price, it would seem, make this gel the leader in this section of the rating. But the complex composition also has a downside – the more components, the higher the likelihood of undesirable phenomena and the more contraindications. With uncontrolled use, local sensitivity may be disturbed, hyperemia (redness), contact dermatitis may appear. The gel cannot be used by people under the age of 18, in case of violation of the integrity of the skin, reduced blood clotting.

Advantages

• multidirectional mechanisms of action,
• affordable price.

disadvantages

• the possibility of undesirable phenomena.

Venitan

Rating: 3.9

Rating 3.9.

Unlike the previous remedies from this section of the rating of the best pain relieving ointments, the remedy has a completely vegetable basis – horse chestnut extract. Reduces the permeability of the vascular wall, thus reducing edema, increases the tone of the veins, reducing the intensity of venous stasis, strengthens the walls of the capillaries with their fragility, inhibits the activity of prostaglandins – inflammation mediators that support the pathological process. Like all the means from this section of the rating, it is used both for injuries and for varicose veins.

Of the contraindications, only the broken integrity of the skin can be noted. The tool is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age, pregnant and lactating due to the lack of safety data for these categories of patients.

The manufacturer recommends using the drug with caution in case of a tendency to thrombosis – and this is perhaps the only drawback of the drug, created for the treatment of conditions characterized by a tendency to increased thrombosis.

Advantages

• natural active ingredient.

disadvantages

• use with caution in case of a tendency to increased blood clotting.

GirudoVen

Rating: 4.7

At first glance, the composition of this product is excellent. Medicinal leech extract improves microcirculation and prevents thrombus formation; horse chestnut extract stabilizes the vascular wall and improves vein tone, menthol and camphor instantly refresh and cool, reducing pain.

There is only one snag: the cream is not registered as a drug, unlike most drugs in this rating, and not even as a dietary supplement, but as a cosmetic product. That is, the manufacturer is not legally obliged to indicate the concentration of active substances. But when it comes to topical preparations, it is the concentration of the active substance that will determine the effectiveness of the agent. A change in the dosage of a medicine or dietary supplement is a reason for its re-registration, while a cosmetics manufacturer is free to change the amount of active substances as it pleases for the sake of economy. Therefore, despite the natural composition and low prices, we have placed this gel at the end of the rating.

Advantages

• natural composition.

disadvantages

• cosmetic cream.

The best anesthetic ointments and creams

In this section of the rating of the best pain relieving creams, we have collected products with local anesthetics – substances that directly act on pain receptors. The range of their application is quite wide – from cosmetic procedures to the treatment of burns or pain relief during teething in a child. Therefore, the rating values ​​for this section are relatively arbitrary: the indications for use are too different.

All funds from this section of the rating should not be taken in case of allergy to novocaine or lidocaine.

Dentinox gel

Rating: 4.6

This remedy is recommended for teething babies. In addition, in fact, the anesthetic lidocaine, it contains chamomile tincture and menthol, which reduce inflammation and edema. The gel can be used 2 – 3 times a day, applying a drop the size of a pea on the child's gums.

Advantages

• complex composition, not only analgesic but also reduces inflammation;
• over-the-counter.

disadvantages

• high price.

Oflomelide ointment

Rating: 4.2

In addition to the local anesthetic lidocaine, it contains ofloxacin, a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, and methyluracil, which stimulates tissue healing. The synthetic ointment base actively absorbs exudates, ensuring the outflow of the pathological contents of purulent wounds, ulcers, etc. They are used in the complex therapy of trophic ulcers, burns, long non-healing wounds.

Contraindicated under 18 years of age, pregnant and lactating. with intolerance to fluoroquinolones or local anesthetics.

Advantages

• not only anesthetizes, but also heals;
• relatively affordable price.

disadvantages

• prescription drug.

Emla

Rating: 3.6

Rating 3.6

Possible analogues: Acriol Pro.

One of the most famous creams with anesthetic effect, used in cosmetology, tattoo artists and other similar situations. Contains lidocaine and prilocaine. It is necessary to apply on the skin with a layer of 2 – 3 mm and be sure to cover with a film – without occlusion, the effect is sharply reduced. It takes effect one hour after application, the duration of anesthesia is 2 hours.

Advantages

• can be found easily at any pharmacy.

disadvantages

• high price.

When to see a doctor

Most of the diseases for which anesthetic ointments and creams are used are quite common and, worsening the quality of life, do not shorten it. But pain can hide situations that directly threaten health. In this section, we have tried to list the signs that signal that the pathology is possibly more serious than it seems at first glance, and a thorough examination is needed.

For back pain:

1. the first attack of pain occurred before the age of 20 or after 55;
2. a history of oncological pathology;
3. the pain occurred after a back injury and does not go away;
4. pain is not associated with movement;
5. pain is not relieved by lying down;
6. and at night its intensity does not change either;
7. discomfort is accompanied by fever;
8. the intensity of the pain gradually increases;
9. there was a deformity of the spine;
10. disturbed urination;
11. the pain is accompanied by weakness or numbness in the legs.

For joint pain:

1. the joint is swollen and reddened;
2. pain is accompanied by an increase in temperature;
3. pain persists day and night;
4. the pain intensifies in the second half of the night and in the morning, accompanied by 'morning stiffness', when after waking it is difficult to move for the first time, but over time the patient 'paces',
5. after rest, the pain does not decrease,
6. decreased range of motion in the joint.

For leg pain

1. severe swelling, the skin looks smooth and taut, the 'bones' on the leg are not visible;
2. asymmetric edema: one leg is 'normal', the other is changed;
3. the appearance of an ulcer that does not heal or even diminish within two weeks;
4. redness and swelling appeared along the vein;
5. the vein has turned into a painful dense cord;
6. the skin becomes pale or bluish;
7. sensitivity is disturbed.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.