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

Derived Forms

• ˌcounterˌirriˈtation, 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.

From New York Times

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

From The Guardian

Most people apply the counterirritant to the injured muscle, tendon or bone, but it would be just as effective if placed on a noninjured area. “tommyoctober” commenting at www.ScientificAmerican.com/Mind Attention to Detail In addition to being a psychotherapist, I’m also an editor and proofreader.

From Scientific American

Ed says his father, out of desperation, tried the suggested cure, and it worked, in a way squaring with the modern medical theory of setting up a counterirritant in certain cases.

From Project Gutenberg

Since then I have often wondered why the American press never reported on this Oriental medical treatment, called "counterirritant."

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

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