Icy Hot offers a cold sensation when first applied to dull away the pain from a recent injury, and then gives a warm sensation to relax the muscles. Icy Hot should be applied liberally to the surface of where the pain is and it will be absorbed, but it should not be applied to an open wound. The product should be applied with a thin layer and may be rubbed slightly but not covered by a bandage or a heating pad because it may cause skin damage. Also, it should be kept away from eyes and mucous membranes. Icy Hot can be severely poisonous and deadly with ingestion of small amounts, so it should always be sealed tightly and kept out of reach of children.