BREATHING PROBLEM

I HAVE COPD AND ARTHRITIS.I'VE BEEN USING A PAIN RELIEF CREAM THAT HAS 10% MENTHOL IN IT,IT WORKS FOR THE PAIN BUT EVERY TIME I USE IT I HAVE TROUBLE BREATHING.WILL IT MAKE MY COPD WORSE?

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

Menthol, when applied to your skin, will not make your COPD worse.  However, should you have asthma along with your COPD, it is possible that inhalation of menthol could serve as an irritant of your bronchial tubes and, at least transiently, make the asthmatic component of your lung disease worsen and thus be responsible for the “trouble breathing.”  But that would not result in worsening of the COPD or any other type of permanent lung damage.

Good luck