By contributing author, Dr. Lorraine Williams, aka TrackMom

While sports are great for bodies, there are times when the muscles aches, tendons throb, and the body generally aches. A very common over the counter topical cream can actually be deadly if not used properly.

The following story highlights a tragic, senseless death and there is no way to bring her back or to heal the family’s hurt.

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”. Read the entire article here  New York Times June 10, 2007

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 sometimes ignorant regarding drugs we purchase in the name of “health and healing” in the “Drug Store”, and ignorance is not always bliss.

My favorite 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. You can also purchase Arnica alone in a cream or gel form that works very well for helping the body heal itself naturally.