Which type of drug produces a cooling sensation on the skin to alleviate pain?

The correct answer is that counterirritants produce a cooling sensation on the skin to alleviate pain. Counterirritants contain ingredients that create a mild irritation or cooling effect, which can help distract the brain from the underlying pain by creating a different sensory experience. This mechanism is known as the "gate control theory" of pain management, where the stimulation of different sensory pathways can interfere with the perception of pain.

Counterirritants typically include menthol, camphor, or similar compounds that produce that distinctive cooling sensation. This effect can increase blood flow to the area and provide temporary relief from pain, making them effective for conditions such as muscle soreness, arthritis, and other localized pains.

Topical corticosteroids are primarily used to reduce inflammation and do not produce a cool sensation; instead, they work by inhibiting inflammatory responses. Local anesthetics numb the area, providing pain relief without a cooling effect, while skeletal muscle relaxants are systemic medications that help relieve muscle spasms and do not have any cooling properties.