Crank up the HEAT (Mentholatum Deep Heat Spray)

Member Name: Shoe_Gal51

Product:	Mentholatum Deep Heat Spray
Date:	24/09/09 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good temporary relief for mild aches and pains

Disadvantages: Strong smell, product does not last long enough, sadly!

When I was younger, Deep Heat spray was a foul smelling "something" that my Mum used to spray onto my Dad's legs after he had been out playing football! The name, Deep Heat, scared me somewhat as a child and I didn't dare mess about with it as a result.

It's only been recently, in the last few weeks that I have tried this product, and it was reluctantly that I agreed to use it (due to my childhood memories sticking in my mind) to help the lower back pain I have been experiencing lately. The Deep Heat spray I have used was the 150g aerosol can which retails at around £2.69. You can also buy the Deep Heat brand product in a patch or as a rub. There are cheaper products on the market too, which do the same thing, such as supermarkets own brand "Muscle Rub" and the like. It is available widely, from supermarkets as well as your specialist chemists, Boots, Superdrug etc.

It comes in a red can (emphasising the "heat" aspect, I suppose!) and claims to ease "mild to moderate" rhumatic pain, muscular aches and pains. In short, it's not a long term solution to your pain, more like a quick fix, as and when you need it.

Now, I would strongly recommend that you use the spray either outside or in a very well ventilated area. It smells very strongly of germoline and is almost enough to choke you if you were to spray it in an enclosed space.

***Good Points***

The instructions state you should spray the affected area with 2-3 short bursts of the product, and a little goes a long way, so the can should last you quite a while. I find that the spray tends to take effect quickly, within 5 minutes, when you will experience a moderate burning sensation in the area - I'm not talking burning as in your skin will melt off here (!), more like a warming sensation. I do find that on my very painful lower back it does provide a nice temporary relief.

***Bad Points***

As pointed out previously, the smell is overpowering and choking if you spray too much, so try to use as sparsely as possible, it does NOT taste nice! The product does not fully absorb into the skin, and leaves a very unpleasant greasy film over your skin until you wash it off, meaning that any contact with fabrics of clothes after application will most likely transfer onto them. Not a problem if you are spraying your ankle, but I would probably say you'd have to go topless if you are using it on your back for a while afterwards. Might be best to apply Deep Heat when you'll be in the comfort of your own home for the next half an hour minimum, then! Steer clear of resting on pillows after application - my OH tells me that Deep Heat doesn't feel great when transferred into your eyes in the middle of the night (haha). My major bugbear with the product is it just does NOT provide enough relief. I know it's only supposed to be a quick fix solution, but I would like a little more than the provided 20 minutes of relief that I have gotten from it. Still, something is better than nothing I suppose, and Deep Heat, combined with some decent painkillers seem to do the trick for a couple of hours, for me at least.

Overall, a good quick fix for muscular discomfort, but not something you can rely on to keep you going if you have a lasting problem, such as myself.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: Something I'll always have stocked on my medicine shelf for quick, hassle free relief