User Reviews for Capsaicin topical to treat Peripheral Neuropathy

"After a spinal injury, I began to experience numbness, pain, and "prickly" feelings in my legs and feet. My toes and bottoms of my feet near the toes were (and still are) completely numb and I have frequent pain and burning in those areas. I bought the Capsaicin cream without a prescription at Walmart, for $10. I applied it liberally to both feet and massaged the areas well. I then put on white ankle socks so I could walk on my wood floors without leaving residue. I did not experience any bad side effects--no burning, etc. The relief from my nerve pain subsided very quickly. After about 15 minutes, I removed the socks and elevated my legs. The medication definitely provided great relief. DO wash your hands thoroughly with soap."

"Capsaicin cream works amazingly well for my sciatica. I apply on the side of my leg, foot, lower back, or wherever I have pain. So, the version 0.1% is too strong. You should buy the .025% version at Look for Rugby Capsaicin 0.025%. There is also a product called Zostrix which you can find with .025% Also: use plastic gloves to apply. You are applying essence of hot peppers to your skin and if you transfer it to your eyes it will really burn. It stays on your skin, so after 8-12 hours I scrub the area down with a soapy washcloth. It reheats if you sweat or take a bath. Without scrubbing it will reactivate if your skin gets wet."

"I had a spinal fusion and developed severe nerve pain in my toe, foot leg and hip. Lyrica and Endone barely controlled the pain and the side effects of drowsiness and constipation were intolerable long term. Some nights the burning sensation was so bad I could not bear even a sheet to touch my foot! I also had pain in my leg and hip. A friend suggested Comfrey cream - this gave some short relief but did not really alter the frequency of the pain. The pharmacy suggested trying Zostrix and the relief was amazing once I had adjusted to the cream. It absolutely was a game changer and I no longer need Lyrica or Endone. I do think you can smear on too much and this does can cause excessive burning which subsides, however, so follow the instructions and use sparingly. Definitely do not apply immediately after having had a hot shower and don't go to sleep with the electric blanket heating the affected area."

Qutenza (capsaicin) "Although I was informed about this treatment and how your body might react to it. My case spiralled out of hands. It was applied to the thorax-wand. Of course different patients react differently. The medics had to call a team to manage my situation. The pain was so much that without a shred of doubt words simply can not explain. The options to help me out was Fentanyl or Anaesthesia to help me cope with the situation. Two days since the happening, I still literally ask my attendees if it was a dream."

"I have been suffering from sciatica for about 10 years now. It has gradually gotten worse. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxin no longer help to relieve the pain in my left thigh. I have found that a generic capsaicin patch placed on my lower back relives the pain. It doesn't fully disappear but it becomes a lot more bearable (0.025%)"

Qutenza (capsaicin) "Qutenza really does work. I did have very intense burning for 15mins for four days. You should never shower, touch the area with water for 48 hrs. The pain can be mind blowing but it does subside and a cool fan helps. Don't let your pets near the area as it will burn them. I have had multiple qutenza and it isn't 3 months before it works. It works straight away it lasts up to 3 months plus. don't apply yourselves use a health professional as it does burn"

"This works for nerve pain, but is waaay stronger than Bengay, Tiger Balm & the sort. Honestly, this should have a more serious alert on the bottle. My dr had me start nerve de-senitizing-i think its called. I have two types of nerve pain & the pain can get real ugly. I used a brush on my hamstrings and adductors to "densitize". I was still just going crazy in pain, meditated-well tried. Prayed & am now suffering the consequences of putting Capzasin HP on my Scrubbed legs...maybe 30 min past the scrubbing. Honestly, this pain rivals my nerve pain-awful close anyway. Good product, but BE careful, w/kids, pets, older folks & especially people in crazy pain undertreated by a propaganda driven war on pain medicine & the Pain Drs."

Qutenza (capsaicin) "Well have had this treatment about 2 years ago now - I was told it was a very new treatment and only one use of it would provide permanent benefits and that it often gave back sensation to extremities in Peripheral Neuropathy - for me this was not the case it was in a sheet format a speciased Nurse was doing the treatment cutting into this single sheet by aseptic technique and extra gloves - the stinging that it cases to both my hands as in fingers and everywhere the Quitenza touched spent the next 3 days virtually in the bath as skin was burning in PAIN now Pain I can feel, unlike even touch seems out of reach - apparently it takes up to 3 months to work - oh yeh and it is made from Capsicum - [Chillies]"

"I was prescribed this capsaicin cream due to severe nerve pain after suffering from Guillian Barre. The burning nerve pain on top of my feet was unbearable. After using the cream twice a day the pain is much better. There is a slight burn after applying the cream but nothing compared the burning pain of the nerve pain. I would definitely recommend it for people dealing with the same sort of issue as I have."

"Doctor prescribed for post shingles pain, put cream on my rash and thought I was dying. My skin burned so bad, turned red for hours and I washed it off almost immediately. Pain was way worse after putting on the cream than before, would not recommend."

"If you have peripheral neuropathy or a small nerve fiber neuropathy, DO NOT USE capsaicin cream!!! Or use with caution! Pain was a 10 out of 10 and it only got worse over the hours.. pro tip... to neutralize, apply vinegar and then sour cream and let sit if you can.. then rinse off and apply again until you can manage with the burning. The only reason it somewhat worked is because I was in so much pain I didn’t feel my nerve or joint pain at the moment.."

Qutenza (capsaicin) "Don't get this cream in you eyes or cuts, it will burn. "

"This product should be not just banned but blacklisted!!!..burning sensation to arm which was difficult to minimise and even after showering it still stung!!!...definitely not a great option...."