Eagle Muscular Balm

Eagle Muscular Balm is a medicated balm for external use, supplied in a small tub and available over the counter. According to the product information, its active ingredients are menthol, methyl salicylate and eucalyptus oil, combined with other herbal oils in a semi-solid balm base. It has a strong menthol aroma and produces a cooling and then warming feeling on the skin.

A balm base is thicker than a liquid oil, so it stays where it is applied and is less likely to run, which makes it easier to measure out a small amount with the fingertips. Menthol creates a cooling sensation, while methyl salicylate is a salicylate compound related to aspirin, which is why people with salicylate allergy must avoid it. Eucalyptus oil and the other herbal oils contribute to the fragrance and feel of the balm.

The balm is commonly supplied in a 20 g tub; please check the product page for the sizes currently available. It is intended for adults and older children only, and it should never be applied to broken skin, near the eyes or on the face of young children. Our pharmacist team can advise on suitability if you take blood thinners, have sensitive skin, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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

Take a 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. Do not rub hard or massage repeatedly, 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 replace the lid tightly.

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.

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. Not for use in children under 2 years of age.

Use before the expiry date printed on the tub 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 tub 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 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, eucalyptus oil or the other herbal oils.
• Do not use on infants and children under 2 years of age. Menthol can cause breathing problems in very young children.
• 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 tub 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.