Q: Due to extreme heat/humidity I had minor irritation in my groin. I applied Bengay cream which caused terrible pain and also aggravated the situation. The instructions in Bengay says not to apply the cream on an open wound or irritating skin. Now the damage is done, how do I come out of this predicament?

A:Bengay Cream- greaseless pain relieving cream from Pfizer is indicated for temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with simple backache, arthritis, strains, bruises, and sprains. It contains Methyl Salicylate 15%, Menthol 10%. This is a classical case of self medication going horribly wrong as the contraindications of Bengay cream are to keep away from eyes, mucous membranes, broken or irritated skin & not to apply if skin is red or irritated. Now you might have suffered from what we call as Irritant/allergic contact dermatitis. Local application of corticosteroids, antihistamines, & if area is raw and ulcerated then systemic and local antibiotics can be used. Please go your local dermatologist and get yourself treated. You probably had a fungal infection of groin which you treated with a local pain killing cream. Needless to say, please do not self medicate again.