Can Icy Hot Relieve Arthritis Pain? (2024)

Given how Icy Hot works, this topical, over-the-counter pain reliever is well-named. Icy Hot causes the skin to feel cool and then warm with active ingredients like menthol and methyl salicylate (wintergreen oil). These ingredients simultaneously stimulate nerve receptors in the skin and block pain signals to the brain, dulling minor aches and pain.

Icy Hot's cooling/warming sensations kick in immediately when applied to the skin. Depending on the formulation and the severity of your pain, the pain relief can last for anywhere from a few hours to up to 12.

This article explains how Icy Hot works and what conditions it can help treat. It also describes the different Icy Hot formulations, including how it is applied and the possible risks.

Icy Hot Uses

Icy Hot topical pain relievers use counterirritants, which act on pain receptors to dull minor aches and pains. Icy Hot products are approved for:

Minor arthritis pain
Simple backache
Muscle soreness
Strains and sprains
Bruises
Cramps

Icy Hot Ingredients

The active ingredients in Icy Hot vary from product to product. Some common compounds include:

Menthol alone
Menthol and methyl salicylate
Menthol and camphor
Menthol and lidocaine (a topical anesthetic)

Icy Hot is for external use only. The ingredients cause a cool sensation followed by warmth. So first it's "icy," then it's "hot."

Few studies have investigated the effect of pain patches like Icy Hot's. Most of them have been of poor quality.

How Topical Creams Can Relieve Pain

Before Using Icy Hot

Always follow the instructions on the label of Icy Hot products. Each product has its own instructions. Some forms are stronger than others.

All Icy Hot products say they're for adults. They shouldn't be used by children under 12 unless a healthcare provider approves.

Precautions

The warnings on Icy Hot labels say:

Use only as directed.
Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes.
Do not apply to wounds or irritated, broken, or damaged skin.
Do not bandage tightly or use with a heating pad.
If you're prone to aspirin or salicylate allergies, ask a doctor before using products containing methyl salicylate.
Do not apply to skin folds.
Do not expose the treated area to direct sunlight or heat.
Stop use right away if you have a severe burning sensation.

FDA Warning

Topical pain relievers may cause first-to-third degree chemical burns, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns. This applies to topical pain relievers—creams, ointments, lotions, and patches—including menthol, methyl salicylate, lidocaine, or capsaicin.

Icy Hot Formulations and Dosages

You can buy a wide range of over-the-counter (OTC) products under the Icy Hot brand. They include:

Patches
Sleeves
Balms
Roll-ons
Dry sprays
Gels
Creams

They come in various strengths and combinations of ingredients.

Icy Hot Back Patch

Icy Hot offers three patches: the Icy Hot Back Patch, Advanced Relief Patch, and Lidocaine Patch.

They all have medication on an adhesive pad. But they have different ingredients, strengths, and instructions.

Icy Hot Back Patch

Contains 5% menthol.
Comes in regular and extra-large (XL) sizes.
Apply to your back or other large areas.
Wear for up to eight hours.
Repeat up to three times daily.

Icy Hot Advanced Relief Patch

Contains 7.5% menthol.
Wear for up to 12 hours.
Use only one per day.

Icy Hot Lidocaine Patch

Contains 4% lidocaine and 1% menthol.
Wear for up to 12 hours.
Use only one at a time.

Salonpas: OTC Pain Patches

Icy Hot Sleeve

The Icy Hot Sleeve comes in one form and dosage.

Contains 16% menthol lotion on a flexible sleeve pad.
Fits anything between 8 inches and 24 inches in circumference.
Generally used for ankle, elbow, and knee joints.
Use for up to eight hours.
Use up to three per day.

Follow the directions for applying the sleeve correctly.

Icy Hot Balm

Icy Hot Balm is an "extra strength" product. The dosages are higher than other Icy Hot products.

Contains 7.6% menthol and 29% methyl salicylate.
Apply to the affected area and massage until it's absorbed.
Repeat up to four times daily.

The balm is available in a 3.5-ounce jar.

Icy Hot No Mess

Three forms of Icy Hot No Mess come in a roll-on applicator. They're quick-drying and don't stain.

Icy Hot No Mess

Contains 16% menthol.
Apply to the affected area and massage in.
Repeat up to four times a day.

Icy Hot Lidocaine No Mess

Contains 4% lidocaine and 1% menthol.
Apply to the affected area every six to eight hours.
Use up to three times daily.

Icy Hot PRO No Mess

Contains 16% menthol and 11% camphor.
Use the applicator to massage into to the affected area every six to eight hours.
Apply up to four times a day.

The no-mess products come in a 2.5-ounce bottle.

Topical Relief for Muscle Pain

Icy Hot Dry Spray

Icy Hot Dry Spray comes in three formulations. It's in a continuous spray bottle and dries quickly. These products don't need to be massaged into the skin.

Icy Hot Dry Spray

Contains 16% menthol.
Use up to three or four times daily.

Icy Hot Lidocaine Dry Spray

Contains 4% lidocaine and 1% menthol.
Apply every six to eight hours.
Use up to three times daily.

Icy Hot PRO Dry Spray

Contains 16% menthol and 11% camphor
Apply to the affected area every six to eight hours.
Use three to four times a day.

These products are extremely flammable. Do not use them when smoking or near heat or a flame. Read their labels for further instructions.

Icy Hot Gels

Two Icy Hot gels formulations are available.

Icy Hot Power Gel

Contains 16% menthol.
Fast-acting, quick-drying formula.
Apply to the affected area and massage in.
Repeat up to three or four times a day.

Icy Hot Vanishing Scent Gel

Icy Hot Vanishing Scent comes in a 2.5-ounce tube with a sponge-top applicator.

Contains 2.5% menthol.
Squeezed onto the affected area.
Use the sponge applicator to massage in until absorbed.
Repeat up to four times a day.

The scent disappears quickly after application.

Icy Hot Cream

Icy Hot Cream is a non-greasy formulation that works immediately on contact. It comes in four versions.

Icy Hot Cream

Contains 10% menthol and 30% methyl salicylate.
Available in 1.25-ounce and 3-ounce tubes.
Apply and massage in.
Repeat up to four times a day.

Icy Hot Advanced Cream

Contains 11% camphor and 16% menthol.
Available in a 2-ounce tube.
Apply and massage in.
Repeat up to four times a day.

Icy Hot Lidocaine Cream

Contains 4% lidocaine and 1% menthol.
Available in 1.75-ounce and 2.7-ounce tubes.

Icy Hot PRO Cream

Contains 16% menthol and 11% camphor.
Massage into the affected area every six to eight hours.
Use up to four times a day.

Topical Creams for Neuropathy

Summary

Icy Hot is a topical pain reliever that comes in multiple strengths, formulations, and combinations of ingredients.

FORM	DOSAGE	INGREDIENTS	HOW OFTEN
Back Patch	5%	Menthol	Up to 8 hours each, up to 3 patches per day
Advanced Relief Patch	7.5%	Menthol	Up to 12 hours each, one only per day
Lidocaine Patch	4% 1%	Lidocaine Menthol	Up to 12 hours each, only one at a time
Sleeve	16%	Menthol	Up to 8 hours each, up to 3 sleeves per day
Balm	7.6% 29%	Menthol Methyl salicylate	Use up to 4 times per day
No Mess Roll-On	16%	Menthol	Use up to 4 times per day
Lidocaine No Mess Roll-On	4% 1%	Lidocaine Menthol	Use up to 3 times per day, every 6-8 hours
Dry Spray	16%	Menthol	Use up to 4 times per day
Lidocaine Dry Spray	4% 1%	Lidocaine Menthol	Use up to 3 times per day, every 6-8 hours
Power Gel	16%	Menthol	Use up to 4 times per day
Vanishing Scent Gel	2.5%	Menthol	Use up to 4 times per day
Cream	10% 30%	Menthol Methyl salicylate	Use up to 4 times per day
Advanced Cream	11% 16%	Camphor Menthol	Use up to 4 times per day
Lidocaine Cream	4% 1%	Lidocaine Menthol	Use up to 4 times per day