塗(ぬ)り薬(ぐすり)

Usage

A general term for any medication applied externally to the skin. Covers ointments, creams, gels, and lotions.

Common collocations

• 塗(ぬ)り薬(ぐすり)を塗(ぬ)る (to apply ointment)
• 塗(ぬ)り薬(ぐすり)を処方(しょほう)する (to prescribe topical medicine)
• 塗(ぬ)り薬(ぐすり)を患部(かんぶ)に付(つ)ける (to put ointment on the affected area)

Similar words

• 軟膏(なんこう): ointment — more specific medical term for thick, greasy ointments
• 飲(の)み薬(ぐすり): oral medicine — medicine taken by mouth, the counterpart of 塗(ぬ)り薬(ぐすり)