Editing Rubefacient

{{short description|Substance for topical application that produces redness of the skin}}
A '''rubefacient''' is a substance for [[topical]] application that produces redness of the [[skin]], e.g. by causing [[Vasodilation|dilation]] of the [[capillary|capillaries]] and an increase in [[blood circulation]]. It has sometimes been used to relieve acute or chronic pain, but there is limited evidence as to its efficacy,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=Mason>Mason et al. 2004 [https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/328/7446/995.abridgement.pdf ''Systematic review of efficacy of topical rubefacients containing salicylates for the treatment of acute and chronic pain''] BMJ 328:995</ref> and as of 2014 the best evidence does not support using gels and creams containing rubefacients for this purpose.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal|last=Derry|first=S|author2=Matthews, P|author3=Wiffen, PJ|author4=Moore, RA|date=2014|title=Salicylate-containing rubefacients for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults.|journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2014|issue=3|pages=CD007403|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD007403.pub3|pmid=25425092|pmc=6458007}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=November 2022|reason=Sources cover salicylates and nicotinate esters, but we use them here as if they cover a much wider range of types of rubefacient.}}

==Examples==
Common medicinal rubefacients include:<ref name=Mason/>
*[[Salicylates]], such as [[methyl salicylate]] (oil of wintergreen)
*[[Nicotinate]] esters
*[[Capsaicin]], derived from [[chili pepper]], ''[[Capsicum]] minimum'', "incites irritation without rubefaction"
*[[Isopropanol]] (rubbing alcohol)
*[[Menthol]]
*[[Minoxidil]]
*[[Thurfyl nicotinate]] (Trafuril)
Common herbal rubefacients include:{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}
*Cloves (''[[Syzygium aromaticum]]'')
*Garlic (''[[Allium sativum]]'')
*Ginger (''[[Zingiber officinale]]'')
*Horseradish ''([[Cochlearia]] armoracia'')
*Mustard (''[[Brassica alba]]'' or ''[[Brassica nigra]]'')
*Nettle (''[[Urtica dioica]]'')
*Rue (''[[Ruta graveolens]]'')
*Peppermint (''[[Mentha piperita]]'')

== See also ==
* [[Liniment]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
[[Category:Dermatologic drugs]]
[[Category:Sports medicine procedures]]