We all know the overuse of medications at any time can lead to dire consequences. Anything taken orally would come to mind as the culprits which send most individuals to emercency rooms or worse. In this
case however, the reason for a young girls death comes as an absolute shock.

Teen Dies From Muscle Cream Overdose

The medical examiner announced on Thursday that the 17-year-old track star, Arielle Newman of Castleton Corners, N.Y., died from a toxic dose of sports cream, the Staten Island Advance reported.

Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s officer told the Advance that the Notre Dame Academy track star’s blood contained lethal amounts of methyl salicylate, the active ingredient found in muscle rubs such as BenGay and Icy Hot.

Borakove said the petite girl used the topical medication excessively, allowing the poisons to accumulate in her body over an undetermined amount of time.

How frightening is this? As one who has a few old joints which from time to time need a bit of assistance, a story like this makes one take a step back and question exactly what we are doing to our bodies.

I cannot imagine being the parents of this seventeen year old left with the knowledge that something purchased over the counter to alleviate pain could take her life at such a tender age. It is my understanding that the ingredients in these analgesic rubs is similiar to those in aspirin (which would make sense) but how many of us would think when we use a topical rub it could eventually kill us?

Prayers go out to this family and may Ms. Newman rest in peace.