塗り薬

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 塗り薬 is read as ぬりぐすり and is a noun for an ointment or topical medicine applied directly to the skin or an affected area.
• Basic usage: The application site appears in 患部に塗り薬を付ける, while instructions appear in 塗り薬の説明を読む.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Topical medicine
  • It is applied to the skin or affected area rather than taken by mouth.
• Difference from 飲み薬
  • 飲み薬 is medicine taken orally, while 塗り薬 is medicine applied externally.