Tiger Balm Active Muscle Gel

Tiger Balm Active Muscle Gel is an external-use cooling gel from Tiger Balm, the well-known topical brand of Haw Par. Its key ingredients are methyl salicylate (16%) and menthol (8%), the same family of aromatic and salicylate ingredients that gives the Tiger Balm range its recognisable medicated scent. These strengths follow the manufacturer labelling for this gel, and the exact figures are also printed on the pack. DoctorOnCall supplies it in a 60 g tube.

It is a quick-absorbing, non-greasy gel with a fresh fragrance and a light blue tint, and it is made by Haw Par Corporation Limited. The inactive ingredients listed on the DoctorOnCall product page are carbomer 940, citric acid monohydrate, FD&C Blue No. 1, fragrance, methylated spirit, PEG-15 cocamine, PPG-5-ceteth-20, propylene glycol and purified water. When applied, it typically produces a noticeable cooling sensation followed by a gentle warmth on the skin, which comes from its aromatic ingredients and is a normal characteristic of the product.

Tiger Balm Active Muscle Gel is for external use only and must never be swallowed or applied inside the mouth, nose or eyes. People who are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates, and anyone with sensitive skin, should speak to a pharmacist or doctor before using it. Our pharmacist team at DoctorOnCall can answer questions about ingredients, suitability and correct application before you order.

Use only on clean, dry, intact skin, and apply it to the required area of the body in a thin layer. Massage gently until the product has been absorbed, then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards unless your hands are the area you have applied it to. If you are applying it to someone else, wear disposable gloves or wash your hands immediately after.

Before the first use, apply a small amount to a limited area of skin and wait to check for any redness, itching or rash, because the product may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Keep it away from the eyes, lips, inside of the nose and other mucous membranes, and replace the cap or close the tube tightly after every use.

• Do not apply to wounds, cuts, damaged, sunburnt or irritated skin.
• Do not bandage, cover with a tight wrap or use a heating pad, hot-water bottle or heat lamp over the application area.
• Avoid bathing or showering for 1 hour before application and for 30 minutes afterwards.
• Wash your hands before touching your eyes, face or contact lenses.

Adults and children over 12 years: apply a thin layer to the required area 3 to 4 times daily as directed on the pack, or as directed by a healthcare professional. Do not apply more often than the pack states, and do not use larger amounts than needed to cover the area lightly.

Children aged 12 years or younger: consult a doctor or pharmacist before use. Missed application: there is no need to make up for a missed application, simply apply the next one when it is due. If symptoms are still present after 7 days of use, or clear up and then return within a few days, stop using the product and consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Check the expiry date printed on the packaging. The product should not be used after that date, and it should be discarded if the appearance, colour or smell changes noticeably. A specific shelf life after first opening has not been stated by the manufacturer.

Store in a dry place below 30°C, away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the cap or lid tightly closed after each use so the product does not dry out or become contaminated. This product is flammable, so keep it away from open flames, cigarettes and other sources of ignition.

• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not transfer the product to another container.
• Do not store inside a hot car or in a humid bathroom cabinet.

• Common: Mild skin redness at the application site, which may occur because of the warming ingredients.
• Common: A tingling, cooling or warm sensation on the skin after application.
• Common: Mild dryness, itching or skin irritation, particularly if the product is used more often than directed.
• Serious: Rash, hives, blistering, severe burning or swelling of the skin, which can indicate an allergic or chemical-irritant reaction and needs the product to be stopped and medical advice sought.
• Serious: Swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, which are signs of a severe allergic reaction that needs emergency medical care.
• Serious: Symptoms of salicylate toxicity such as ringing in the ears, nausea or rapid breathing if a large quantity is applied over a wide area or swallowed, which needs urgent medical attention.

• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to methyl salicylate, aspirin or other salicylates, camphor, menthol or any other ingredient in the product.
• Application on open wounds, cuts, broken, inflamed or irritated skin.
• Application in or near the eyes, mouth, nose or other mucous membranes.
• Use on children aged 12 years or younger without advice from a doctor or pharmacist.
• Use under tight bandages or occlusive dressings, or together with external heat sources.

• Topical products containing methyl salicylate can be absorbed through the skin, and there are reports of an increased anticoagulant effect in people taking warfarin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist if you use blood thinners.
• Using this product together with oral aspirin or other salicylate medicines may add to your total salicylate exposure, especially if a large area is covered regularly.
• Do not apply other topical products, such as other rubs, creams, ointments or patches, to the same area at the same time unless advised by a pharmacist.
• Heat from heating pads, hot-water bottles or hot baths can increase absorption through the skin and the risk of irritation or burns.
• No food interactions are known for this product when it is used externally as directed.

• Wash and dry the skin first, because clean skin gives more consistent and comfortable application.
• Start with a small test area if you have never used a Tiger Balm product before.
• Use only a thin layer, since applying more does not make the product work better and can increase skin irritation.
• Wash your hands straight after applying so the product does not reach your eyes or face.
• Do not exceed 3 to 4 times daily and keep a note of when you last applied it.
• Store the tube or bottle closed, below 30°C, away from sunlight, and out of the reach of children.

Precautions: This product is for external use only. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have sensitive skin, or if you have a history of asthma or allergy to aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines. Do not use on broken skin or near the eyes, and do not cover the area with tight bandages or apply heat. Children aged 12 years or younger should only use it on the advice of a doctor, and children must not be allowed to swallow or handle the product unsupervised. Use only for the duration stated on the pack and avoid using large quantities over wide areas of the body.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: seek advice if the condition you are applying it to worsens, if severe skin irritation, blistering or rash develops, or if symptoms are still present after 7 days. Also consult a doctor if the condition clears and then returns within a few days. Seek emergency care straight away if the product is swallowed, if it gets into the eyes and irritation continues after rinsing with plenty of water, or if you develop swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing.