Biofreeze may be safe for your baby during pregnancy, but as a pregnant person, you may be at higher risk for side effects because of hormonal skin changes. Biofreeze is a topical ointment typically used for muscle pain.
Its active ingredients are menthol and camphor. Menthol cools 1 the area and camphor 2 may decrease swelling and inflammation. While plenty of research exists around these ingredients, very little has been done on the topical uses of Biofreeze on pregnant people. Keep in mind though that camphor in concentrations higher than three percent 3 is considered unsafe during pregnancy.
In one case study, a pharmacist recommended against its use during pregnancy because of these ingredients. Since your skin can change a lot during pregnancy, it may cause irritation 3 . Either way, it’s always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before you try any new medication while pregnant.
