Their mechanism of action is different – Biofreeze provides a cooling sensation, whereas Bengay creates a warming sensation (although it has an initial cooling effect). In addition, their inactive ingredients are different. In conclusion, Biofreeze appears to be more efficient with fewer possible side effects, but its cost is higher.
Full Answer
What is Biofreeze Bengay used for?
Bengay is used to treat minor pains and aches of the joints and muscles. Biofreeze works similarly to an ice pack to provide immediate relief and a cooling sensation. Bengay works by creating a warming sensation, that can help release tight muscles.
Is Bengay hot or cold?
Specifically, camphor is known to cause cold and warm sensations in the skin when it’s applied. In other words, these Bengay-induced sensations could alternatively be described as “icy” and “hot.” Are you saying that Bengay is better than IcyHot?
What is the difference between Bengay and IcyHot?
When we step over to take a closer look at Bengay, we see that Bengay also has 10 percent menthol and 30 percent salicylate solutions, which suggests that it has the exact same active ingredients as IcyHot in the precise same concentrations.
What is the difference between Bengay and menthol?
Bengay is a product that is used for minor pains and aches of muscles and joints linked to bruises, arthritis, sprains, and other minor aches. Active ingredient – menthol and methyl salicylate. Both products are menthol-based, with the exception that Bengay also contains methyl salicylate.
What kind of pain does biofreeze relieve?
BioFreeze is an analgesic that relieves pain through a menthol-induced cooling process. Unlike medications and surgical procedures, it relieves pain naturally for conditions such as overworked muscles, chronic back pain, or arthritis.
Which biofreeze is strongest?
Biofreeze Professional is the strongest and best of the three pain reliever gels reviewed here. It is easy to apply with the rolled ball applicator. You do not have to use your hands.
Does Bengay reduce inflammation?
Bengay arthritis cream is used to relieve muscle and bone pain. It contains salicylates, camphor, and menthol. Bengay reduces inflammation and has cooling and warming effects. It's also available in a vanishing-scent option for people who aren't fond of the menthol smell.
Why does biofreeze work so well?
The cold therapy of Biofreeze works by causing ligand molecules to attach themselves to your nerve's cold receptors, which effectively helps to numb the area, interfering with pain signals traveling to the brain.
Who should not use Biofreeze?
Do not use on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Do not cover treated skin with a bandage or expose it to heat from a hot tub, heating pad, or sauna. Do not apply the medication within 1 hour before or 30 minutes after you take a bath or shower.
What happens if you use too much Biofreeze?
severe burning, stinging, redness, or irritation after using this medicine; or. pain, swelling, or blistering where the medicine was applied.
Does BENGAY actually help heal?
Creams like BenGay can relieve minor aches and pains. But exactly why they work is a mystery. Now researchers have discovered a neurological mechanism behind such cooling remedies that, if tapped just right, could have implications for people with chronic and nerve-related pain.
What happens if you use too much BENGAY?
What happens if I overdose on Bengay Lidocaine (Topical)? Overdose symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), slowed breathing, coma, or respiratory failure (breathing stops). Lidocaine applied to the skin is not likely to cause an overdose unless you apply more than the recommended dose.
Is BENGAY the same as Icy Hot?
Voltaren, Aspercreme, Icy Hot, and Bengay are not the same medications. Each brand may carry formulations that contain similar ingredients, so it is important to check the labeling of each product before purchase.
How long should you leave Biofreeze on?
Carefully remove remaining film while pressing patch to skin and leave in place for up to 8 hours. Use on affected areas not more than 4 times daily. Wash hands with cool water after use.
What is better Biofreeze or Voltaren?
Biofreeze contains menthol, and like other menthol-containing products, it alleviates pain via counter-irritation, specifically cooling the surface of the skin. Voltaren instead treats pain by temporarily blocking the production of pain-signaling chemicals called prostaglandins.
How long does it take for Biofreeze to start working?
It took about ten minutes for it to kick in.
Is Biofreeze a good pain reliever?
Yes, in fact, Biofreeze is the #1 clinically recommended topical pain reliever by pharmacists, physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, podiatrists, and athletic trainers.
What is better Biofreeze or Voltaren?
Biofreeze contains menthol, and like other menthol-containing products, it alleviates pain via counter-irritation, specifically cooling the surface of the skin. Voltaren instead treats pain by temporarily blocking the production of pain-signaling chemicals called prostaglandins.
Is Biofreeze an anti inflammatory?
Biofreeze topical gel is a great alternative to other pain relief solutions. It is non-systemic, non-narcotic, and contains no NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), salicylates, or addictive substances.
What is the strongest Icy Hot?
ICY HOT ® ADVANCED MEDICATED PATCH.
How does Bengay work?
Bengay works by creating a warming sensation, that can help release tight muscles.
What is biofreeze used for?
Biofreeze is used to soothe minor muscle and joint pains.
What is Bengay used for?
Bengay is a product that is used for minor pains and aches of muscles and joints linked to bruises, arthritis, sprains, and other minor aches. Active ingredient – menthol and methyl salicylate. Both products are menthol-based, with the exception that Bengay also contains methyl salicylate.
Can you use Bengay on children?
Bengay. Do not use this topical analgesic: on a child under 12 years of age with arthritis-like health problems; with a heating pad; on a damaged skin; on wounds. Note – in 2007, a teenage athlete in the US overdosed and died from overexposure to one of the main active ingredients in this product (methyl salicylate).
Who makes Bengay cream?
It was originally developed in France by Dr. Jules Bengué. Currently, it is manufactured by Johnson&Johnson.
Is Ilex Paraguariensis vegan?
Since the product was not tested on animals and no animal products are used in the ingredients, it is vegetarian and vegan-friendly. It comes in many forms, such as:
Is biofreeze paraben free?
Biofreeze is a menthol-based pain relieving gel which can be used topically for strains, arthritis, sprains, and tendonitis. It is a paraben-free option and has both long and fast-acting effects. In addition, it is backed by clinical research.
What is biofreeze gel?
Biofreeze is a topical gel that works by creating a cooling sensation wherever applied with the use of menthol and other ingredients. Menthol has been proven to indirectly block the brain from receiving pain receptors.
Is biofreeze a good conditioner?
Biofreeze is a natural gel that is paraben free, colorless, non greasy, and it is also a great skin conditioner. Bengay, on the other hand, has both hot and cold products with menthol and other ingredients to alleviate pain. Biofreeze only offers cold therapy products.
Is Bengay a natural product?
It is not a natural product like Biofreeze and, it contains an active ingredient that can be toxic in excess. A plus about Bengay is that it can be bought in patch form whereas Biofreeze is only in cream, spray, and roll-on form.
What are the ingredients in Biofreeze?
The good guys here are Yerba Mate (the plant not the drink) and menthol, which is a persistent ingredient in all of these products. Red flags include the 2 colorants used in the product: FD&C blue #1 and FD&C yellow #5. The latter is a bit controversial and has been shown to cause mutagenesis and carcinogenesis if ingested. Other ingredients are common stabilizers and bases found in a lot of products on the shelf at the drug store.
What is Bengay's ingredient stack?
Bengay’s ingredient stack is mostly on the good end of the spectrum with characters like Lanolin, but one notable inclusion tips the scales the other way. Potassium Hydroxide. That’s lye. An inorganic compound commonly used in various chemical, industrial and manufacturing applications.
Is ice hot dangerous?
The Environmental Working Group considers PEG-150 a hazardous ingredient, but on the OK end of the spectrum for all PEGs. You can dive in by reading out deep dive if you’d like, or you can just avoid this stuff altogether.
Sweet relief is on its way
Jennifer Nied has written about health, fitness and wellness for over 10 years. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
Best for After Exercising: Sportscreme Deep Penetrating Pain Relieving Rub
Although you can certainly use Sportscreme in situations where exercise or movement wasn’t involved, it is a good option for those with arthritis who may have overdone it on a particular day with walking, housework, gardening, or other activities.
What to Look for in an Arthritis Cream
There are several effective ingredients that relieve pain, inflammation, and stiffness in joints caused by arthritis. Topical anesthetics, like lidocaine, create a surface-level numbing effect wherever they're applied.
Why Trust Verywell Health?
As a seasoned health writer, Jennifer Nied understands how vital quality product recommendations are for treating symptoms safely and effectively at home.
Uses
Mechanism of Action
- Biofreeze workssimilarly to an ice pack to provide immediate relief and a cooling sensation. Bengay works by creating a warming sensation, that can help release tight muscles.
Side Effects
- Some people using these products may experience: 1. burning or stinging feeling; 2. a rash; 3. skin irritation. Note – most of the time, these side effectswill go away after a few days.
Warnings & Precautions
- Biofreeze<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12416" src="https://www.yourhealthremedy…
1. wash your hands with cool water after applying the product; 2. avoid getting the topical analgesic in the ears, eyes, mouth, nose, or genitalia; 3. after applying this topical analgesic to an area, leave it exposed to the air; 4. using a heating lamp over the area where you have applied th… - Bengay
Do not use this topical analgesic: 1. on a child under 12 years of age with arthritis-like health problems; 2. with a heating pad; 3. on a damaged skin; 4. on wounds. Note– in 2007, a teenage athlete in the US overdosed and died from overexposure to one of the main active ingredients in …
Bottom Line – Biofreeze vs Bengay
- Biofreeze is a menthol-based pain relieving gel which can be used topically for strains, arthritis, sprains, and tendonitis. It is a paraben-free option and has both long and fast-acting effects. In addition, it is backed by clinical research. Even though it is a pricier topical analgesic, its effectiveness justifies its high price tag. Bengay is a...