DMSO

DMSO cream is used to treat:  Arthritis, Arthrosis, Bursitis, Muscular Pain, Interstitial Cystitis, Tissue Necrosis, Repair Connective Tissue.  It can be used to treat muscle and joint problems and general body soreness.   

DMSO
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is a sulfur-containing organic by-product of wood pulp processing.  This substance is a colorless, odorless liquid whose original use was as an industrial solvent.  There is a lot of conflicting information about DMSO.  It is used in manufacturing processes and is a potent free radical scavenger (antioxidant) and anti-inflammatory.  When used medically, DMSO is a prescription medication that can be taken by mouth or used intravenously.  It can also be used to deliver drugs such as penicillin and medical morphine through the skin.  Doing this may be a viable alternative to intravenous (IV) drug delivery.
Note: DMSO's super-efficient through-the-skin delivery means that it must be highly pure to be safe.  Any impurities or toxins present will be carried directly into the bloodstream.  In addition, substances already on the skin when DMSO is applied, such as body lotions, etc., will be moved into the blood.

DMSO has a low toxicity rating and may be a 'miracle pain reliever' and has many other beneficial uses, but its biggest positive is its biggest drawback.  It quickly and super-effectively delivers substances through the skin and bloodstream and amplifies or potentiates their effects.  It can be beneficial in some situations but potentially very harmful in others, which is likely why the research on DMSO is so contradictory.
 
Approvals By the FDA
DMSO is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for 'medical use' in dogs and horses and is approved for treating humans for: 

• Interstitial Cystitis - is a painful bladder infection that requires a doctor to administer DMSO through a catheter into the bladder.  The chemical is typically left in the bladder for 15 minutes, after which the patient urinates to flush it out. 
  
  
• Shingles - a painful skin condition that affects 1 in 3 people in the United States.  It is caused by the varicella-zoster (or herpes zoster) virus, which lives within the body and can flare up at any time.  It is the same virus that causes chickenpox, and it lies dormant within anyone who has ever had chickenpox.
  
  
• Stem Cell Research - to protect frozen tissues (use is highly controversial).
  
  
• Preservative - routinely used as a cryopreservative in the autologous bone marrow and organ transplantation.

Note:  the FDA has refused to approve DMSO for topical use in humans.
 
The Topical Product
DMSO can be mixed into a cream, lotion, or ointment for medical purposes.  The product is often applied topically in a solution of 70-percent DMSO to 30-percent water.  The most distinctive property of DMSO is its ability to penetrate the skin quickly. 
A gel form of DMSO is used to treat osteoarthritis and typically has a concentration of 25%.  It is applied three or four times a day.  DMSO sold without a prescription can range from 10% concentration to 90% because no studies provide guidelines for determining the proper dose. 
 
Why Do Consumers Use DMSO?
People have used DMSO to reduce pain, treat wounds and burns, and speed up the body's natural healing processes.  It has also been used to try and treat:

• Eye problems
• Headache
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scars
• Scleroderma

Other than its use as prescription medicine, there is little or no scientific evidence supporting other claims about DMSO's effectiveness.
 
Benefits of DMSO Cream
DMSO cream can be used to treat a wide range of ailments and conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Arthrosis (joint disease)
• Bursitis
• Interstitial Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder wall)
• Muscular Pain
• Repair Connective Tissue
• Tissue Necrosis (typically occurs during chemotherapy)

In general, DMSO creams can treat muscle and joint problems and general body soreness. 
 
Note:  We noticed a DMSO advertised on the internet and available at local stores with the following properties: 90% DMSO and distilled water (99.9% pure); and 10% Aloe Vera.  They also state that it looks like mineral oil and has a slightly garlicky odor. 
 
What Are the Risks of Using DMSO?
Some DMSO on the market may be industrial grade.  Industrial grade DMSO may contain several impurities that can easily be absorbed into the skin with potentially serious health effects.  The most frequent side effects of using DMSO on the skin include

• Skin irritation
• Upset stomach

More severe side effects include:

• Headaches
• Itching and burning when applied to the skin
• Severe allergic reactions

Using DMSO by mouth can cause:

• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

DMSO can increase the effect of some medicines, which can lead to serious health issues.  Examples of such medications include:

• Blood thinners
• Sedatives
• Steroids

The biggest concern of DMSO as a solvent is that when it gets on the skin, it will cause anything on the skin to be absorbed.  Some DMSO available on the market may be industrial-grade (used as a solvent in laboratories and manufacturing) and may contain several impurities that can easily be absorbed into the skin with serious health effects.  An industrial-grade should never be used medically.
 
Complications
Before using DMSO, the patient should discuss possible complications with their doctor.  This chemical may heighten the effects of some medications such as blood thinners, sedatives, and heart medications.  The chemical may carry other drugs or contaminants through the skin and bloodstream.  Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should not use DMSO since little is known about its possible effects on the fetus or infant.
You should also not use DMSO without talking to your doctor if you have

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Liver and kidney conditions

You must thoroughly clean the area and apply with sterile latex-free gloves if you use any DMSO product.  Use new gloves for each application of DMSO.
 
 
 
Disclaimer: RPE takes pride in being your source for your Life Knowledge information.  The information and statements made in this article are for educational purposes and are not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional and are not intended as medical advice.  RPE does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness.  The information given is intended to share knowledge and information from the research of the RPE Team.  We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and in partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.