Better Labels Urged for Sports Creams

This undated family photo provided to the Staten Island Advance and released Saturday, June 9, 2007 shows Arielle Newman. Newman, 17, a cross-country runner at Notre Dame Academy in New York's Staten Island, died on April 3, 2007, after her body absorbed high levels of methyl salicylate, an anti-inflammatory found in sports creams such as Bengay and Icy Hot, the New York City medical examiner said Friday, June 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Courtesy Newman family via The Staten Island Advance) (AP)

NEW YORK -- Arielle Newman was a high school track star who suffered from the typical aches and pains that result from a grueling training regimen. For relief, she covered her legs with large amounts of muscle cream.

The 17-year-old died from an accidental overdose of methyl salicylate, the wintergreen-scented ingredient found in liniments like BenGay, Icy Hot and Tiger Balm, the New York City medical examiner's office said last week. The death was the first of its kind in the city, authorities said.

Experts said the death of Newman, a cross-country runner for Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island, points to a need for clearer warnings about risks, especially because muscle creams have become a staple in locker rooms around the country.

"There has to be a heightened awareness that these products are something that needs to be used under medical supervision," said Dr. Gerard Varlotta, director of sports rehabilitation at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center.

Newman put the muscle cream on her legs and used adhesive pads containing the anti-inflammatory, plus an unspecified third product, said Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner.

"There were multiple products, used to great excess, and that's how she ended up with high levels," Borakove said. The products were used and the chemical absorbed over time, rather than from a single instance of overuse, she said.

Although no clear documentation exists on deaths resulting from the application of muscle cream, experts said they have never heard of one other than Newman's.

Johnson & Johnson, the maker of BenGay, expressed sympathy to the Newman family and said in a statement that the product "is safe and effective when used as directed to provide relief from minor arthritis pain, sore, aching and strained muscles and backaches."

Chattem Inc., the maker of Icy Hot, did not return a call Tuesday seeking comment.

The labels on both products say to stop using them if "condition worsens or symptoms persist for more than 7 days."

The labels also say to keep the products out of the reach of children.

"It's on my one-swallow-to-kill list for kids," said Dr. Thomas Kearney, who directs a poison control center and is a professor of pharmacy at the University of California at San Francisco.