Teen Athlete's Death Caused by Sports Cream

A cross-country runner from Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island died as a result of methyl salicylate poisoning, the medical examiner has concluded, according to CNN.

17-year-old Arielle Newman died on April 3, 2007. Arielle went to a party the night before and then returned home where she spent several hours talking to her mother, Alice Newman.

Ellen Borakove, the spokesperson for the medical examiner's office says this is the first time that her office has reported a death from using sports cream. She said that Arielle had "used topical medication to excess." It is believed that Newman may have suffered a fatal nighttime seizure from the effects of the toxins.

Methyl salicylate is an anti-inflammatory ingredient found in over the counter sports creams like BenGay and Icy Hot, it is also known as wintergreen oil. These are products that are intended to help relieve sore and aching muscles. Being poisoned by methyl salicylate is rare, as are deaths from high levels of the chemical, but it is possible with excessive, frequent use.

At Mount Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Robert Grelsamer said Newman had a very abnormal amount of methyl salicylate in her system.

"She either lathered herself with it, or used way too much, or she used a normal amount and an abnormal percentage was absorbed into her body," Dr. Grelsamer said.

Edward Arsura, Richmond University Medical Center, Chairman of Medicine, told the Staten Island Advance, "Chronic use is more dangerous than one-time use. Exercise and heat can accentuate absorption."

Also speaking to the Staten Island Advance, Dr. Alan Hui, associate director of pharmacy at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, said, "There have been case reports of this happening. It sounds like it had been seeping into her body for quite some time."

It has also been suggested that the product that Arielle was using may have contained more than the advertised amount of methyl salicylate and that it should be tested. The salicylate content of one ounce of BenGay, or one teaspoon of oil of wintergreen is equivalent to 21 aspirin tablets. Using a sports cream is equivalent to taking an aspirin, but because it is absorbed through the skin it acts much faster and works better. A pre-existing, undiagnosed condition could also have made Miss Newman more susceptible to the toxicity of the methyl salicylate.

Arielle has been described as "a driven athlete, whose persistence and ability brought her many awards."

Newman's mother, Alice, was stunned to find out that a sports cream was responsible for her daughter's death.

She told the Advance, "I am scrupulous about my children's health. I did not think an over-the-counter product could be unsafe."

"Medical Examiner: Sports Cream Caused Teen's Death" . CNN.com. URL: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/09/musclecream.death.ap/index.html

Lisa Schneider and Paul Spencer, "Stunning Report in Runner's Death Gives Pause". The Staten Island Advance. URL:
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1181371506294920.xml&coll=1