What Are Topical Anti-Inflammatory Creams?Locations:||||||SearchAdvertisementAdvertisementApril 24, 2025/Health Conditions/OrthopaedicsAre Topical Anti-Inflammatory Creams Worth the Rub?These creams that you apply to your skin can actually help reduce localized pain, swelling and inflammationChronic pain and inflammation can really take a toll on your physical and mental health. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) can help reduce pain and inflammation. But they also carry certain risks for cardiovascular and kidney issues, stroke, bleeding and ulcers when you take them for extended periods of time.AdvertisementCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy“Your risk increases the longer you take NSAIDs as a treatment,” says physiatrist Meredith Konya, MD.Fortunately, there are topical anti-inflammatory creams that offer the same amount of relief with significantly reduced risks. Dr. Konya explains how topical anti-inflammatory creams should be used and how they work.What are anti-inflammatory creams?When you apply topical anti-inflammatory creams directly to the area of your skin that’s causing you pain, they get absorbed by your tissues and joints and disrupt the feeling of pain and inflammation. Every topical anti-inflammatory works differently depending on their active ingredients.Some of the most common active ingredients include:Diclofenac works as a COX-2 inhibitor by blocking a specific enzyme that causes pain and inflammation. It comes in an over-the-counter gel (Voltaren®), liquid (Pennsaid®) or patch (Flector®). Higher strength versions can be prescribed.Capsaicin is a natural compound that gives chili peppers their heat. It’s used in over-the-counter topical anti-inflammatory creams, lotions, serums and patches. It activates heat sensations in your skin and desensitizes nerve pain over time.Menthol is another common ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties. It’s often used in combination with other active ingredients like methyl salicylate (BenGay®, Icy Hot®) or camphor (Sarna®) to reduce inflammation and swelling.AdvertisementA review of several clinical studies found that Voltaren gel is particularly effective. “In this review, 60% of patients got 50% relief with topical NSAIDs,” reports Dr. Konya. This was similar to the pain relief from oral NSAIDs and better than the placebo.Do topical anti-inflammatory creams work?Unlike oral NSAIDs, which reduce inflammation throughout your entire body, topical NSAIDs work to relieve pinpoint, localized pain and swelling in your joints, muscles and tissues.Although the amount of medication that enters your bloodstream is much lower than if you were to take an oral NSAID, you don’t need a lot of anti-inflammatory cream to experience relief. Topical anti-inflammatories reduce your body’s exposure by almost 90%. This minimizes your risk of experiencing harmful side effects.What are anti-inflammatory creams used for?Topical anti-inflammatories come in creams, gels and patches. They’re used to treat pain, stiffness and inflammation associated with a variety of conditions like:Muscle sorenessSwellingSprains (torn or stretched ligaments)Strains (torn or stretched muscles)TendonitisOsteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritisShinglesTopical anti-inflammatories come in different strengths and doses, too. Make sure you read their instructions carefully and ask a healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to use them safely.How long does it take for anti-inflammatory creams to work?When used as needed or in the short term, these creams can provide immediate pain relief to the affected tissue or joint and the surrounding areas. Unless otherwise recommended by your healthcare provider, you shouldn’t use topical anti-inflammatory creams longer than a week or two. If your pain gets worse or persists beyond that timeframe, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.Who shouldn’t use anti-inflammatory creams?Topical anti-inflammatory creams are usually very well-tolerated. If you have difficulty swallowing oral NSAIDs, topical NSAIDs are usually a safe alternative. But approximately 1 in 20 people experience a mild, temporary skin reaction in the form of a rash, redness, dryness or itchiness.Topical anti-inflammatories shouldn’t be used after open heart surgery either. If you have known cardiovascular disease or kidney disease, talk to your healthcare provider before using these. You also shouldn’t use topical NSAIDs if you’ve taken them in the past and experienced allergic reactions, like:AsthmaHives“Topical NSAIDs are best for people with only a few painful joints,” clarifies Dr. Konya. If you apply the topical anti-inflammatory to several joints, you may exceed the recommended dosage and increase the risk of side effects. “People with arthritis in multiple joints are better off treated with an oral NSAID or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) unless there’s a medical reason they shouldn’t take them.”AdvertisementAdvertisementLearn more about our .Health LibraryArthritisOverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentOutlook / PrognosisHealth LibraryArthritisOverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentOutlook / PrognosisAdvertisementRelated ArticlesJanuary 17, 2025/Primary Care‘Black box warnings’ on medications outline potential risks and important instructions January 13, 2025/Primary CareThese similar versions of brand-name drugs are safe, effective and often less expensive December 4, 2024/Primary CareDrugmakers put a lot of effort and resources into finding the right name for generic and brand medicationsFebruary 22, 2024/Primary CareSome types of expired meds may not be harmful, but they probably aren’t worth the riskSeptember 8, 2023/WellnessMake it easy on yourself by checking airline regulations and keeping meds in your carry-onJanuary 13, 2023/Primary CareEssential over-the-counter items for the illnesses and ailments of lifeMarch 7, 2022/Primary CareCutting pills is a normal — and potentially dangerous — practiceSeptember 23, 2021/Heart HealthPay close attention to the way your body reactsTrending TopicsSleepIf you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may helpMental HealthIf you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment styleNutritionIf you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foodsHealth Categories to ExploreBrain & Nervous SystemChildren's HealthExercise & FitnessHeart HealthMen's HealthMental HealthNutritionOrthopaedicsPrimary CareSkin Care & BeautyWellnessWomen's HealthOther Popular CategoriesAging WellAllergiesCancer Care & PreventionChronic PainCold, Flu & Respiratory IllnessesDiabetes & EndocrinologyDigestiveEar, Nose & ThroatEye CareInfectious DiseaseLungOral HealthParentingPregnancy & ChildbirthRecipesRheumatology & ImmunologySenior HealthSex & RelationshipsSleepUrinary & Kidney HealthWeight LossAdRendered: Sat Jun 28 2025 07:27:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)Cleveland ClinicSite Information & PoliciesResources9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2025 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved., Frequently asked questions What is topical pain relief? Topical pain relief, or analgesics, are medicated products applied to the skin to help with pain relief. They can come in the form of:, Voltaren gel is avaialble over the counter. Learn more about how it works, where to buy it, and alternative topical medications..