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Muscle-Pain Reliever Is Blamed for Staten Island Runners Death
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The sudden death of a 17-year-old Staten Island high school track star was caused by the accidental overuse of an over-the-counter remedy routinely used by millions of Americans to treat sore muscles and joints, the New York City medical examiner ruled after a two-month investigation.
The athlete, Arielle Newman, a cross-country runner at Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island, died after her body absorbed high levels of methyl salicylate, an anti-inflammatory found in sports creams like Bengay and Icy Hot, the medical examiner said Friday.
The medical examiners spokeswoman, Ellen Borakove, said the teenager used topical medication to excess.
She said it was the first time that the office had reported a death from use of a sports cream.
Ms. Newman, who garnered numerous track awards, died on April 3.
Methyl salicylate poisoning is unusual, and deaths from high levels of the chemical are rare.
Chronic use is more dangerous than one-time use, Edward Arsura, chairman of medicine at Richmond University Medical Center, told The Staten Island Advance on Friday. Exercise and heat can accentuate absorption.
Dr. Ronald Grelsamer, of Mount Sinai Medical Center, said Ms. Newman had a very abnormal amount of methyl salicylate in her body.
She either lathered herself with it, or used way too much, or she used a normal amount and an abnormal percentage was absorbed into her body, he said.
Ms. Newmans mother, Alice Newman, said she still could not believe that her daughters death had been caused by a sports cream.
I am scrupulous about my childrens health, she told The Advance. I did not think an over-the-counter product could be unsafe.
Johnson & Johnson, the makers of Bengay, expressed sympathy for the family in a statement.
The company reminded consumers about the importance of reading the label on this and all over-the-counter medicines to ensure safe and proper use.
The label on Ultra Strength Bengay states that consumers should apply the product no more than three or four times daily and should stop use and see a doctor if the condition worsens or symptoms persist for more than a week, said Meghan Marschall, a Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The sudden death of a 17-year-old Staten Island high school track star was caused by the accidental overuse of an over-the-counter remedy routinely used by millions of Americans to treat sore muscles and joints, the New York City medical examiner ruled after a two-month investigation.
The athlete, Arielle Newman, a cross-country runner at Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island, died after her body absorbed high levels of methyl salicylate, an anti-inflammatory found in sports creams like Bengay and Icy Hot, the medical examiner said Friday.
The medical examiners spokeswoman, Ellen Borakove, said the teenager used topical medication to excess.
She said it was the first time that the office had reported a death from use of a sports cream.
Ms. Newman, who garnered numerous track awards, died on April 3.
Methyl salicylate poisoning is unusual, and deaths from high levels of the chemical are rare.
Chronic use is more dangerous than one-time use, Edward Arsura, chairman of medicine at Richmond University Medical Center, told The Staten Island Advance on Friday. Exercise and heat can accentuate absorption.
Dr. Ronald Grelsamer, of Mount Sinai Medical Center, said Ms. Newman had a very abnormal amount of methyl salicylate in her body.
She either lathered herself with it, or used way too much, or she used a normal amount and an abnormal percentage was absorbed into her body, he said.
Ms. Newmans mother, Alice Newman, said she still could not believe that her daughters death had been caused by a sports cream.
I am scrupulous about my childrens health, she told The Advance. I did not think an over-the-counter product could be unsafe.
Johnson & Johnson, the makers of Bengay, expressed sympathy for the family in a statement.
The company reminded consumers about the importance of reading the label on this and all over-the-counter medicines to ensure safe and proper use.
The label on Ultra Strength Bengay states that consumers should apply the product no more than three or four times daily and should stop use and see a doctor if the condition worsens or symptoms persist for more than a week, said Meghan Marschall, a Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman.
I'm astonished by the ignorance of the mother's comment -
I am scrupulous about my childrens health, she told The Advance. I did not think an over-the-counter product could be unsafe.
Apparently she's never heard of Reye's syndrome. Or doesn't know why so many sinus products are now behind the pharmacist's counter. Or that thousands of people die every year from overdosing on tylenol.
kaydak7 - you are wise to be concerned about your children. But is it really necessary for them to stop using it? Why not ask how much is used and how often it is used? Are the coaches aware of the potential dangers? Did you give the coaches permission to give medical care to your children?
Because if it is the coaches that are applying the icy hot and bengay, that is giving medical care and if they are not qualified to do so then they should not be giving it to *any* child.
They said on the radio that she must of been lathering it on constantly or bathing in it! But everyone's body is different and reacts to things differently than the next guy or gal! So you never know! That's not to say one freaks out and stops doing anything because life has sooooo many side effects! It's just good to know your body, read labels and consult WELL INFORMED doctors!
I was a administrative assistant at a place awhile back where one of the owners would (like clockwork every Friday) lather up with ben-gay or the like and then go running immediately after doing so! YIKES! Those creams restrict oxygen to the skin cells, essentially smothering the skin cells! Not fun products! Plus the smell is gagable!
Take care,
Stay sane!
I use Tiger Balm and Stoppain and am heading for the labels right now.
I don't use them excessivly or anything, but better safe than sorry.
Both those products are free of salicylate.
I knew there was another reason I liked nautral type stuff.
Has anyone tried that activon stuff (made by the same people that make head on with the doofy commercials)? I had an awful allergic reaction to that stuff when I was using in on the back of my neck.
Regular/according to directions use at school should be fine.
I would be concerned if the school were trying to do the same thing - use way too much to mask pain. Otherwise, I probably would not have issues with its use at school.