counterirritant

[koun-ter-ir-i-tuhnt]

noun

1. Medicine/Medical.,  an agent for producing inflammation in superficial tissues to relieve pain or inflammation in deeper structures.

2. any irritation or annoyance that draws attention away from another.

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical.,  of or acting as a counterirritant.

counterirritant

/ ˌkaʊntərˈɪrɪtənt /

noun

1. an agent that causes a superficial irritation of the skin and thereby relieves inflammation of deep structures

adjective

1. producing a counterirritation

Other Word Forms

• counterirritation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterirritant¹

First recorded in 1850–55; counter- + irritant

Example Sentences

The counterirritant capsaicin cream is oddly helpful too, replacing that gnawing ache with a superficial burn that is far easier to ignore.

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Menthol is a counterirritant, which relieves underlying pain near the site of application by causing irritation at the surface.

Read more on The Guardian

This theory helps to explain why acupuncture may work, and it is also the basis of chemicals such as BenGay, which are classified as counterirritants—they cause a sensation to compete with the pain sensation.

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The ordinary use of a seton is to keep up constant drainage from a cavity containing matter or to act as a stimulant or counterirritant.

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We prefer counterirritants, for the reason, among many others, that by the promptness of their action they tend to prevent the formation of the bony deposits.

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Related Words

• balm 
• lotion