Eagle Balsem Gosok

Eagle Balsem Gosok is a rubbing balm for external use, supplied in a small tin and available over the counter. Product information lists menthol, methyl salicylate and camphor together with essential oils such as eucalyptus oil in a semi-solid balm base. The name means rubbing balm in Malay, and it has a strong menthol aroma with a cooling and then warming feel on the skin.

Menthol produces a cooling sensation, while camphor and methyl salicylate create a feeling of warmth when applied; the combination is typical of traditional rubbing balms. Because methyl salicylate is related to aspirin, the balm is not suitable for people with aspirin or salicylate allergy, and because camphor is absorbed through the skin, it must not be used on infants and young children. The thicker balm base stays where it is applied and is less likely to run than a liquid oil.

The balm is commonly supplied in 20 g and 40 g tins; please check the product page for the sizes currently listed. Keep the tin tightly closed after each use so that the volatile ingredients do not escape, and keep it away from open flames and heat. Our pharmacist team can advise you if you are unsure whether the balm suits you, particularly if you take blood thinners or have sensitive skin.

Wash and dry your hands and make sure the area of intact skin is clean and dry.

Take an appropriate small amount of balm with your fingertips and rub it gently onto the area of skin in circular motions until it is absorbed.

Use only a thin layer, and do not massage hard or for a long time, as this can irritate the skin.

For external use only. Do not swallow, and keep the balm away from the eyes, the inside of the nose and mouth, and broken skin.

Wash your hands well after use and close the tin tightly so that the volatile ingredients do not escape.

Apply a small amount to the affected area of skin, not more than 3 to 4 times a day, or as directed on the pack or by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not apply more often than directed, as larger amounts do not make the balm stronger and raise the chance of skin irritation and absorption of its ingredients.

If you miss an application, apply at the next usual time and do not double up. Stop using the balm and speak to a doctor or pharmacist if your skin does not improve after about 7 days, or gets worse. Do not use on children under 2 years of age.

Use before the expiry date printed on the tin and carton. If the colour, smell or texture of the balm changes noticeably, stop using it and replace it with a new pack.

Store at room temperature, below 30 °C, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and open flames. Keep the tin tightly closed after every use and keep it out of reach of children, as swallowing even a small amount can be dangerous.

• Common: A warm, tingling or cooling sensation on the skin where the balm is applied. This is expected with these ingredients and usually settles within minutes.
• Common: Mild redness, dryness or irritation of the skin, particularly with repeated use or on sensitive skin.
• Common: A strong aroma that some people find overwhelming, which may trigger a headache or nausea in sensitive individuals.
• Serious: Severe burning, blistering, swelling or a spreading rash where the balm was applied. Stop using it, wash the area with plenty of water and see a doctor, as this may be a chemical skin burn or a contact allergy.
• Serious: Nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, rapid breathing, drowsiness, confusion or seizures after swallowing the balm or applying large amounts over wide or broken areas of skin. These can be signs of poisoning from camphor or methyl salicylate and are a medical emergency.
• Serious: Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, hives or difficulty breathing. These are signs of a severe allergic reaction and need emergency medical care.

• Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredient in the balm, including menthol, methyl salicylate, camphor, eucalyptus oil or any of the other essential oils.
• Do not use on infants and children under 2 years of age. Menthol and camphor can cause breathing problems and seizures in very young children.
• Do not use if you have a history of seizures or epilepsy, as camphor has been linked to convulsions when absorbed in significant amounts.
• Do not use if you are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates, as methyl salicylate is a salicylate.
• Do not apply to broken, burnt, inflamed or irritated skin, wounds, the eyes, the inside of the nose or mouth, or other mucous membranes.
• Do not swallow the balm.

• Methyl salicylate can be absorbed through the skin and may increase the blood-thinning effect of warfarin and other anticoagulants. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before regular use, especially over large areas of skin.
• Avoid using the balm together with oral aspirin, other salicylates or high doses of anti-inflammatory medicines without advice, as the total salicylate exposure can add up.
• Do not use the balm with heating pads, hot water bottles or other external heat, and do not cover the area with a tight bandage, as this can increase absorption and cause burns or blistering.
• Avoid applying other creams, gels, patches or medicated products to the same area at the same time unless a pharmacist has advised it.
• No food interactions are known.

• Do a small patch test on the inner forearm and wait a few hours before the first full application, especially if you have sensitive skin.
• Use only a small amount in a thin layer; applying more does not make it stronger and increases the chance of skin irritation.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after applying so that the balm does not reach your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Keep the balm away from open flames, candles, cigarettes and other heat sources, as the ingredients are flammable.
• Avoid applying it within an hour before a hot bath or shower, and wait at least 30 minutes after bathing, as warm, damp skin is more sensitive to these ingredients.
• Close the tin tightly after each use and store it out of reach of children, as accidental swallowing can be dangerous.

Precautions: This balm is for external use only. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have sensitive skin, asthma, a skin condition or a long-term medical condition, ask a doctor or pharmacist before use. Children aged 2 years and above should only use it under adult supervision, and a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted for older children before use. Avoid touching your eyes after applying, remove contact lenses before applying near the face, and never apply it over large areas of skin.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: See a doctor or pharmacist if your skin becomes red, blistered or painful after applying the balm, if symptoms continue for more than about 7 days, or if they clear and return within a few days. If the balm is swallowed or gets into the eyes, rinse the eyes with plenty of water and get medical help immediately, and contact a poison centre or go to the nearest emergency department.