Living with arthritis can be disconcerting and disruptive. The pain, aches, stiffness and overall health conditions can make it difficult to perform even the simplest tasks. Besides, trying to mitigate these distressing symptoms doesn’t always yield results.

It is easy to get overwhelmed by the different options available to treat or manage arthritis pain. Several doctors advocate for a combination of medication, therapies and lifestyle changes, but sometimes simple over-the-counter(OTC) topical creams can provide local pain relief. The best part is you don’t have to spend lots of money on the arthritis creams.

Over–the–counter creams include pain-relieving ingredients that help to reduce pressure and joint pains. Some arthritis creams may reduce stiffness in your joints, making your joints more flexible and comfortable throughout the day.

When you apply the cream to the most painful area multiple times a day, the compounds in the cream get absorbed via the skin and temporarily reduce inflammation and pain by changing blood flow or nerve signaling. Over-the-counter creams tend to work efficiently on smaller joints closer to the surface of the skin, such as knees, ankles, and elbows.

Some main ingredients included in over-the-counter topical creams include:

Salicylates

Reduces swelling, inflammation, and irritation by increasing blood flow and blocking chemicals in the joints.

Counterirritants 

Causes a cooling or warming effect and decreases and increases blood flow, hence distracting your brain from feeling pain.

Capsaicin 

Reduces pain by decreasing the number of pain signals sent to the brain and blocking pain receptors in the skin. 

Other types of OTC creams may contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidants that work quickly to produce temporary pain relief effects. It’s therefore beneficial to try these out arthritis creams; you never know maybe it’s exactly what you were looking for.

Look at these recommended best products available in the market.

Bengay Ultra Strength Pain Relieving Cream

Product Price: Only $4.69

How Bengay Works:

Bengay Ultra Strength Pain Relieving Cream comprises three effective pain-relieving compounds that penetrate deep and provides relief from arthritis, muscle or bone pain. The compounds don’t have to get into the bloodstream to be effective; once applied to the affected area directly, instant absorption occurs, resulting in instant relief. The cream also has a warming and cooling effect and decreases inflammations. 

Icy Hot Vanishing Gel

Product Price: $8.29

How Icy Hot Works:

Comprising ingredients such as counterirritants and silicates, Icy Hot vanishing gel will definitely provide you with initial cooling and then warming sensation to distract your mind from feeling the pain. As a result, it offers soothing sensations and relief for arthritis pain. If you don’t like the smell of the compounds in different creams, then you are in luck. The methanol scent in the cream disappears quickly, without a trace.

Myoflex Odorless Pain Relieving Cream

Product Price: $8.46

How Myoflex Works:

This odorless and deep penetrating cream temporarily relieves pains and minor aches of muscle and joints caused by arthritis. It gets absorbed to your body skin instantly without leaving the greasy-like feeling on your skin. The cream contains salicylates, which fight inflammation resulting from arthritis pain.

Capzasin-HP Arthritis Cream

Product Price: $15.99

How Capzasin-HP Works:

Capsaicin is the active ingredient in this particular topical treatment. The application of the cream to the affected area causes a sensation of warming that activates specific nerve cells. The heating effect reduces the production of a chemical substance “P”, which acts as a pain messenger in the body. When applied, the cream will temporarily relieve the muscle or joint pain caused by arthritis. Although, if this product irritates your skin, stop using it.

Sportscreme Deep Penetrating Pain Relieving Rub

Product Price: $6.79

How Sportscreme Work:

Sportscreme uses salicylate as its active compound. The compound offers temporary relief for minor pains associated with arthritis, muscle sprain, muscle strains and other, by soothing the inflammations. It promises deep penetrating pain relief once applied and has no unpleasant odor. Sportscreme lacks counterirritants, therefore perfect for those people who don’t like the cooling and warming sensation available in other common products.

Try out A Quick and Effective Arthritis Cream Today

Even though they are many pain relief creams, and a handful of other medications used to reduce arthritis symptoms, every option works differently on different people. It will take time and lots of trial and error before you can conclude which option works best for you.

If you are struggling with aches and pains resulting from arthritis, then these over the counter creams will provide you with fast and effective relief. Over-the-counter drugs are available, affordable and effective, but you will have to consult your doctor on the potential side effects of the treatment.

You can also do your own research and compare different over-the-counter arthritis creams based on their ingredients, effectiveness, and price. Don’t just rush in blindly to purchase any product.