Capsaicin topical and Burning: What Users Say

• Sol...
• May 24, 2016

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Capsaicin cream works amazingly well for my sciatica. I apply it 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 0.025% version. Look for Rugby Capsaicin 0.025%. There is also a product called Zostrix, which you can find with 0.025%. 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."

• Mkb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2014

Capsaicin topical for Osteoarthritis "I applied two doses the first day I got it, to my thumbs, about eight hours apart. Yes, it's true that it's easy to get in your eyes, nose, or mouth, and it burns. Even after a shower, I could still feel it on my skin. I expected to have to reapply it each day. But here's the funny part: the pain in my hands is nowhere near as intense as it was, even two days after that initial application. Why? It's welcomed, but kinda weird."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2020

Capsaicin topical for Postherpetic Neuralgia "I bought this Capzasin-HP yesterday and tried it for my post-neuralgia shingles pain. I was very disappointed in it as it caused more pain, and my skin looked scalded where I applied it. I had to wash it off after 15 minutes due to the intense burning and apply aloe vera gel three times in order to get relief. I feel it was a waste of my money just to try it as it was recommended. This should be removed from shelves and not sold as I cringe to think of a small child having this used on them. The burning was intense."

• Anonymous
• July 24, 2010

For Osteoarthritis "I'm 61, female, and have had arthritis in my hands, knees, and feet over the past ten years. Since using capsaicin over the last two years, I've found tremendous relief. It burned when I first started using it, but the burning 'wore off' after a week, and I find it totally painless to use. I apply it in the morning as well as in the evening. I learned to NOT use my fingers to apply it. Instead, I use the topside of my thumbs, between the first and second joints from the tip of the thumb. That way, I don't accidentally get capsaicin in my eyes (especially when applying my contact lenses an hour later!). I highly recommend capsaicin and suggest sticking with it, even if at first it burns. It's well worth trying."

• jh6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2015

For Pain "For years I suffered from plantar fasciitis in my heel. I could not even walk, the pain was so bad. I would have to hop on one foot to get around. I tried everything from hot soaks to ibuprofen and new shoes. I saw a free sample of lotion with capsaicin in it, 0.01% dose. I had read reviews of all the burning, so I had it for a month and never tried it. One day, the pain was so bad I gave it a whirl. Instant relief! No burning, no stinging, not even warmth. I can walk again very comfortably. I am so glad I learned of this medication. I do not understand why so many people experience burning and I did not... But you should try it. Oh, and if you live near a dollar store, they sell a 7' patch for $1. I got 6 uses out of $1."

• B2r...
• November 6, 2013

Capsaicin topical for Pain "I used this for knee pain per my doctor's recommendation. I read the instructions and applied the medication. It didn't relieve my pain, it caused more pain. Severe burning, stinging pain. Even showering to wash the medication off was painful. I had to use calamine lotion to counter the effects. Perhaps my skin is more sensitive than others out there, but I would use caution with this medication."

• PWa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2019

For Pain "Tonight was my first night using this stuff, and I WILL NEVER EVER USE IT AGAIN!! The burning it gives off is horrible. I have tried everything to cool it down, and it seems like it's burning worse. I have to be to work at 7 in the morning, and here I am at 3:30 a.m. writing a review because I can't sleep due to the burning of this cream. I wouldn't recommend this shit to nobody. My skin is so irritated, it's red, and burning. I even took a cold towel to wrap around my legs, and it's still not working."

• whi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 7, 2018

Capsaicin topical for Peripheral Neuropathy "Qutenza really does work. I did have very intense burning for 15 mins for four days. You should never shower or 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 treatments, and it isn't 3 months before it works. It works straight away, it lasts up to 3 months plus. Don't apply it yourselves, use a health professional, as it does burn."

• Men...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 5, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Probably best to do a small patch test before you use this product. Also, different capsaicin preparations are more potent than others. I have bursitis in my shoulder, and it is very painful, particularly when I sleep wrong on my shoulder. Capsaicin is the only relief I get. Now able to sleep through the night, yes, it burns, that's the point, it exhausts the pain receptors in the area. Best product, but you have to expect to burn, that's what it does, that's how it works."

• BIG...
• July 18, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I have put a '5' because I have only been using it for a few days, and according to the label, it usually takes weeks to work. I would say a couple of things to the other people posting on here. 1. If you think the burning pain (which is definitely there) is unbearable, then I can reassure you that your joint pain isn't that bad because comparatively, the burning is absolutely nothing compared to the joint pain. I have seen people put comments like 'the worst experience of my life' - you have a pretty good pain-free life then. 2. You have to use it regularly or it won't work. If you don't use it 3-5 times per day, it will just give you local cutaneous burning and will not go through your skin and start helping the desensitizing of your nerves."

• lif...
• November 8, 2011

For Osteoarthritis "I'm a 57-year-old female with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the hip and back. I have been using capsaicin gel for 2 weeks, and the pain has subsided tremendously. Experienced a burning sensation the first day only. It has given me back parts of my reason for living."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2019

Capsaicin topical for Pain "I have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in my left wrist and have been taking methotrexate for a year. I have been using capsaicin cream for a couple of months, a very small amount rubbed into the affected area, and can’t believe the response... it’s great. I get a slight burning sensation a couple of hours after I put the cream on, but otherwise no pain from the cream. My specialist said to reduce from 20 mg of methotrexate a week down to 10, but this week I am going to rely solely on the cream and see what happens... so far, so good."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2020

Capsaicin topical for Postherpetic Neuralgia "I beg to differ; the negative results others are getting are from wrong application. Apply a thin coating only, and it will work great; gradually applying more a little at a time. This has been a lifesaver for me, as I am suffering from shingles, and this has given me much-needed relief. ALERT! Wear gloves or use a paper towel to apply, or it will burn your hands, and always wash hands thoroughly afterward. It will heat up a little, but won’t last."

• Doc...
• August 12, 2016

For Pain "I can walk again! I had so much pain in my right knee, and nothing worked. Can't take Aleve. I tried this and put on way too much the first time. Burned like I was on fire. After, I use in very small doses. All I can say is it works. Took pain away, and I can traverse the stairs and walk with almost no pain. I like this better than taking pain meds. I highly recommend this."

• Tra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 4, 2019

For Pain "I’ve been using Zostrix HP 75 percent for a year on my lower back. At first, I thought I was on fire but persisted with it as my back was killing me. I put a tiny dot of cream on twice a day and now no burning at all, and back pain gone."

• T-s...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2014

"It does produce a burning sensation the first two weeks. After that, it is a gentle warming sensation and really eases the pain in my back injury. It is absolutely worth putting up with the initial burning sensation."

• Gra...
• July 19, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "I used capsaicin for relief of neck pain (eventually resolved by surgery) and now for very painful arthritic knees. It was very effective for the neck pain after I slowly built up to an effective dose. Currently trying to reach a therapeutic level for knees -- slow going due to hot weather and sweating. Capsaicin can cause very bad burning pain if it gets wet during bathing or sweating before one has built tolerance. In fact, I swore off it twice due to agonizing burning before learning to manage the early months of use much more carefully and start low and slow (as I'm doing now with knees). However, it's a great pain treatment once you learn to use it carefully and build tolerance. Wash hands twice or use gloves to avoid possible eye contact."

• Sad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 10, 2015

Capsaicin topical for Osteoarthritis "When I lay in bed with osteoarthritis pain and nerve pain... this tends to give a warming sensation to a bit of burning, which takes my mind off the nerve pain, and after a bit (and with my pain meds), I can fall asleep. If you like hot showers in the morning, it may warm up a bit while in the hot shower. I won't live without it. I only use it at bedtime and when the pain is too great to fall asleep."

• tra...
• March 14, 2016

For Pain "I have bad sciatica. Lying in bed was the worst, and I've tried everything. Found this amazing capsaicin and haven't looked back. At first, I was putting on a fair bit, and the burning was unbearable, but found that sweating interacts, so now I put a tiny bit on, and now I have movement."

• Mur...
• April 26, 2017

Capsaicin topical for Peripheral Neuropathy "Well, I 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 specialized nurse was doing the treatment, cutting into this single sheet by aseptic technique and extra gloves - the stinging that it caused to both my hands, as in fingers and everywhere the Qutenza 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 yeah, and it is made from capsicum - [chillies]."

• Anonymous
• February 11, 2010

Capsaicin topical for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Tried it for foot pain, diabetic neuropathy, terrible results. Pain increased, had to wash it off. Wash your hands very well after use, even if you don't see the cream on your hands, some residue may still exist, and if you get it in your eyes, it will really burn."

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2013

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I used it for arthritis in my foot. When I first used it, I felt like someone set my foot on fire, and water and the sun will bring the heat back. It burns for at least 30 minutes, but after it stops, I end up able to walk. It feels like a deep, deep tissue massage. I cried, but I still use it because it helps me after the burning stops, but don't touch it because it stays on you for a day or so, and if you touch your eyes, you will burn."

• Kay...
• July 17, 2019

Capsaicin topical for Pain "My doctor recommended this and said he uses it himself. Well, I bought the product and applied it at 7:00 a.m., and now it's been 15 hours later, and my back is literally on fire. I wouldn't recommend anyone buying this product. I've tried cold showers, ice, anything cold, and yet I'm on fire."

• Nin...
• June 30, 2016

For Pain "I just found out about Capzasin today and tried it for the first time for my fibromyalgia. I have OTC 0.025%, and while I have only been using it for a few hours, I am so excited to have found it. The burning sensation is mild compared to my pain and doesn't bother me in the least. I tried it on one thigh to start and make sure it didn't bother me too much. I had so much relief in the one leg I couldn't wait to use it on the other. My only complaint is the smell. It has a strong scent of menthol. I am in the most pain at night when trying to sleep, so I think I will use it then. I did read that showering can be uncomfortable but also that a milk compress helps."

• Mum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "I tried everything on the shelf in my chemist for neuropathic pain. Was so debilitated by my pain. Couldn't sleep, drive, sit in particular positions. The burning is a relief initially over my carpal tunnel pain. Neuropathic pain. Capsaicin is an outstanding cream. I'm smiling again 11/10."