Is Icy Hot Toxic

Muscle rubs like Bengay® and Icy Hot® are used to soothe aches and pains in adults. However, they can be toxic if swallowed and should be kept out of reach of kids. The active ingredient in many of these products is methyl salicylate, a medicine similar to aspirin.

How much Icy Hot is toxic?

While common, over-the-counter ache-relief products contain a much lower percentage of methyl salicylate than is contained in oil of wintergreen—for example, both Icy Hot and BenGay Extra Strength contain 30 percent, the highest percentage of all topical creams—their toxic potential is real: The U.S. Food and Drug …

Why you shouldn't use Icy Hot?

Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: blistering/swelling/severe redness at the application site, increased/unusual pain at the application site, nausea/vomiting, ringing in the ears. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.