Remember the last time you were in physical pain? You could not sit for long, you could not stand for long, you could not even work properly because you were in pain. That feeling of discomfort gets the best of you, so it’s time to say goodbye to it.
Now, everybody knows how good pain relief patches are for providing transdermal relief. They help get rid of the discomfort and help you live your best. But how do these actually work? Allow us to explain the mechanism of action behind that tiny sheet of adhesive.
What Are The Components Of A Pain Relief Patch?
Before we dive into the details of how pain relief patches work the way they do, you need to know what the components are that help perform their function. 4 main components of a pain relief patch are known, which are:
Adhesive Layer
This is the bottom layer of your pain patch, which, just as the name suggests, contains an adhesive that helps it stick to the surface of your skin. The adhesive layer will make sure your patch stays in place throughout the wear time.
Drug Reservoir
The active ingredients in the pain relief patch are present in the drug reservoir, which is just above the adhesive layer. The most commonly used active ingredients in pain relief patches include Lidocaine, as seen in Lidocaine 4% Pain Relieving Patch, opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.
Membrane
The drug reservoir has quite a hefty amount of active ingredients present in it, which shouldn’t be released all at once. To prevent this, the drug reservoir is covered with a membrane that controls the rate of release of active ingredients in the bloodstream. Thanks to this membrane, the active ingredients are released at a controlled and steady rate in your bloodstream.
Backing Layer
To protect against the accidental release of active ingredients, pain relief patches are covered by a backing layer. This material acts as a barrier between the active ingredients and the environment and protects the contents from external damage.
It Works The Transdermal Way
Transdermal mode of application means these patches are applied to the skin, and that’s where they show their action. Let’s take the SINSINPAS Cold Patch as an example. You apply the SINSINPAS cold patch on your pain site, and your body’s natural heat warms the adhesive.
This makes the patch more flexible and allows it to sit well according to the shape of your body. When the patch is adhered to the skin properly, it starts releasing a controlled proportion of active ingredients in your bloodstream.
These active ingredients target the pain receptors and alleviate discomfort. Still don’t get it? Don’t worry; we’ll explain in detail.
Step By Step Mechanism Of Action Of Pain Relief Patches
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how pain relief patches work:
1. Adherence
It all starts when you take your pain relief patch and apply it to your skin. The adhesive layer of the patch holds it up tight on your skin, and your body produces heat naturally, which will help the patch adjust to your body’s curves.
Just a tip: choose the size of the patch according to the size of your wound so that you can move freely without any movement restrictions. Lucky for you, SINSINPAS Arex patches are available in 3 sizes: small, medium, and large, so you can pick according to your preference.
2. Overpowering The Outermost Layer Of Skin
Your skin has multiple layers that act as protective barriers. The outermost layer is known as the stratum corneum, which prevents the entry of external substances into the body.
But pain relieving patches overcome this barrier as the active ingredients are small enough to cross the protective layer of skin. Sometimes, these patches contain active ingredients in a combined form that aids the absorption of active ingredients.
3. Crossing The Skin Layers
Once the active ingredients have gained access to the body, they start diffusing across the multiple layers of skin. These include the epidermis followed by the dermis, both of which are subsequent skin layers.
4. Getting Into The Bloodstream
Your capillaries are located near your dermis. This is the point where the active ingredients from your pain-relieving patches start entering your bloodstream via capillaries. Your blood then transports the medicine throughout your body and takes it to the target site.
5. Steady Release Of Active Ingredients
The point to be noted here is that anything in excess is dangerous for your body, even if it is a medicine that is made to ease your discomfort. This is where the membrane of your pain relief patch comes into action.
This membrane prevents the at once release of all active ingredients in your body, thus helping you avoid a drug spike in your blood. The slow and steady release of analgesic (pain-relieving) ingredients also ensures that you get prolonged relief.
6. Attacking The Pain Receptors
The question here arises: how does the medicine know where to act or where it is needed? This is because, at the site of pain, there are pain receptors, which act as signals for the medicine.
These pain receptors are nerve endings which induce the sensation of pain. When the active ingredients reach these receptors, they interact with them to ease your discomfort, thus providing you relief.
What Are A Few Important Active Ingredients Of Pain Relieving Patches?
If your pain relieving patch has any of these active ingredients, you’re in safe hands.
Capsaicin: SINSINPAS Capsaicin Hot pain-relieving patch is a good example of a pain-relieving patch with capsaicin, a topical analgesic derived from chili peppers.
Lidocaine: Lidocaine, as seen in the SINSINPAS Lidocaine pain-relieving patch, is a local anesthetic that works by blocking the nerve signals in your body.
NSAIDS: Ibuprofen or diclofenac are examples of NSAIDs found in pain-relieving patches that block chemicals responsible for inflammation and pain.
Take Home Message
Overall, pain relief patches are a good option if you want to get the benefits while avoiding the side effects of medicines. SINSINPAS patches are the best in the market, and thousands of you agree with it, too. Last but not least, if pain persists, don’t wait; visit your physician as soon as possible.
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