Muscle Creams Like Bengay and Icy Hot Can be Deadly

By now, many of us have heard of the Long Island, NY high school track star who died in April from using too much Bengay to help relieve achy muscles. One of the key ingredients in such products is methyl salicylate, and doctors say that using too much of this is the equivalent of taking too much apsirin, which can easily create a toxic situation in your body.

A 30% solution of Bengay (or similar products) has a significant amount of aspirin per gram of product. When used in extremely high doses, the ingredient becomes toxic.

Nevertheless, the incidence of death by using too much methyl salicylate is rare, but it is something to be aware of. Doctors recommend that muscle creams be used in moderation, and are not suggesting that those who have found the products to be helpful to stop using them. Doctors are asking, however, that patients be conscious of how much they use and take care to read the warning labels on all products.