counterirritant
Pain-masking substance
A counterirritant is something that produces mild irritation to relieve more severe pain or inflammation elsewhere.
In medicine, mustard plasters and menthol rubs work as counterirritants—creating surface sensation to distract from deeper discomfort.
Figuratively, a counterirritant is anything that diverts attention from a greater annoyance: The comedian served as a counterirritant to the evening's tense political discussions.
Chili heat compound
- mentholCooling agent from plants
- camphorAromatic crystalline insect deterrent
- mustard plasterMedicinal paste compress
- linimentMedicated rub for soreness
eucalyptus oil · wintergreen oil · arnica · clove oil · tiger balm · capsicum · mustard oil · peppermint oil
Currently relevant or newsworthy
- patchMaterial covering damage
- ointmentMedicated skin cream
- creamRich milk fat
- balmHealing topical preparation
poultice · plaster · rub · salve · gel · compress · lotion · embrocation
Skin suction healing method
- moxibustionBurning mugwort for healing
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- dry needlingTherapeutic muscle puncturing technique
- heat therapyTreatment using warmth
Crimson-hued state
- warmthHeat you feel
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
- stimulationEvoking a response
- inflammationProtective tissue response
skin reaction · blood flow · tingling · burning sensation · hyperemia · vasodilation · reflex · sensory overload
capsaicin
Chili heat compound
- mentholCooling agent from plants
- camphorAromatic crystalline insect deterrent
- mustard plasterMedicinal paste compress
liniment · eucalyptus oil · wintergreen oil · arnica · clove oil · tiger balm · capsicum · mustard oil · peppermint oil · ginger extract
topical
Currently relevant or newsworthy
balm · poultice · plaster · rub · salve · gel · compress · lotion · embrocation · transdermal
cupping
Skin suction healing method
- moxibustionBurning mugwort for healing
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- dry needlingTherapeutic muscle puncturing technique
heat therapy · massage · gua sha · reflexology · hot stone therapy
redness
Crimson-hued state
- warmthHeat you feel
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
- stimulationEvoking a response
inflammation · skin reaction · blood flow · tingling · burning sensation · hyperemia · vasodilation · reflex · sensory overload
- topical analgesicsarthritis cream, liniment, sports cream, heat rub, joint cream
- heat therapyheating pad, heat pad, hot compress, hot pack, warming gel
counterirritantirritant
Source of vexation
allergen · toxin · sensitizer · vesicant
counterirritantanesthetic
Pain-blocking substance
numbing agent · local anesthetic · topical anesthetic · analgesic · nerve block