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The following story from last summer highlights a tragic, senseless death and there is no way to bring her back or to heal the family’s hurt. Perhaps this story will remind us that drugs of all kinds need to be used in extreme moderation at best. Reading labels and paying attention to what actually in a product that you rub on your youth athlete or have him swallow in the name of general pain relief.
Who would ever think that an over the counter topical application cream could lead to death? We are some times ignorant regarding drugs we purchase in the name of “health and healing” in the “Drug Store”, and ignorance is not always bliss. My favorite sports rub is a homeopathic remedy, Traumeel. It comes in a gel or cream. It has no toxic ingredients and works wonderful. Traumeel has a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient called Arnica along with others. Pack some in your track bag this week..
Excessive Use of Topical Sports Cream Kills High School Girl
Last Year a 17-year-old high school athlete died from accidentally using too much over-the-counter muscle cream. The creams are commonly used by millions of Americans to relieve pain in sore muscles and joints.
Arielle Newman, a star of the Staten Island high school track team, died because her body absorbed high levels of methyl salicylate, an anti-inflammatory found in sports creams including Ben gay and Icy Hot. Though commonly recommended for use by athletes, both exercise and heat can “accentuate absorption” of the drug, and chronic use is said to be more risky than one-time use.
This is a tragic example of how deadly over the counter drugs, which are viewed as being safe and without risks, can be. They can be incredibly easy having just as many dangerous side effects as prescription drugs.
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