Capsaicin topical and Burning: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Peg...
• September 8, 2018

Capsaicin topical for Postherpetic Neuralgia "I have had shingles for the past month. I read that Capzasin HP would help the pain after the shingles were healed. Last night I put it on my body from the front, side, and back. Instantly, it started to burn, but I thought the pain would go away in a few minutes. However, the pain intensified, and within ten minutes I couldn't tolerate the painfulness of the Capzasin HP on my skin. The whole area was swollen, and a bright red rash had developed. I got in the shower and repeatedly washed the whole area with soap and lukewarm water. Then I applied a cold compress to the areas and received some relief. When I went to bed, it felt like I had a heating pad under me. I would not recommend Capzasin HP to anyone with shingles."

• Mam...
• October 31, 2020

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "I have had shingles and now some PHN pain. If you use capsaicin too early on the rash, it will not be effective (and burn intensely). I used a lidocaine cream on the rash until it healed, and then I started using capsaicin when I could tolerate it on my skin. If you can push through the initial burning at application, it does effectively work on the nerve pain. But I would not try it until the rash and skin sensitivity have healed first. Use lidocaine for shingles, capsaicin for PHN nerve pain."

• lay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2013

Capsaicin topical for Pain "I had a muscular injury to my leg. I rubbed on the ointment, and the 'slight burning' the packaging warned of was a horrible burning that I could not remove with repeated washing with soap and water. The intense burning sensation went on for a few hours."

• Cwa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2020

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I was prescribed this capsaicin cream due to severe nerve pain after suffering from Guillain-Barré. 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 to the burning pain of the nerve pain. I would definitely recommend it for people dealing with the same sort of issue as I have."

• Ido...
• August 17, 2016

Capsaicin topical for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "It was prescribed for hot, burning, painful feet. I tried it several times trying to get used to it. Every time I used it, it would cause extreme pain in the feet. My feet would turn red, like it had been in a fire, and would burn like it had been in a fire. I could not get used to that pain, and it didn't seem to be working anyway. I finally stopped it and threw the rest of it out."

• Bon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2018

Capsaicin topical for Pain "Three separate people with different pains and causes all experienced terrible burning sensations. We honestly felt like our flesh and muscles were being cooked, roasted, prepared for a cannibalistic feast for unknown guests. I cannot recommend this for anyone, for any reason. There is no remedy to getting it off your skin; water reactivates it. I cannot understand why this is available. 'First, do no harm' should be revisited."

• Kim...
• September 17, 2016

For Pain "I used this for the first time last night, and within one minute, my skin felt like I had lit it on fire! I followed the directions on the box to remove it, but I suffered for hours. My skin looked like I had sun poisoning. I almost made a trip to the ER. Today, my skin is still very tender. I made a bad situation much worse. Never, ever AGAIN!"

• Bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "Was prescribed this as cannot take anti-inflammatories due to heart condition. Yes, it burns, but the relief it gives is unbelievable! I was warned by the doc that it contained some sort of chili, so not to apply without rubber gloves and to avoid any contact with eyes, mouth, etc. It works for me anyway!"

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2011

Capsaicin topical for Pain "I used Trixaicin HP for thoracic spine damage to the nerve root at the C5, C6 level (C6 root), causing numbness in my index finger and thumb. I used gloves and put the Trixaicin directly on the pain. That caused the Trixaicin to heat up so much it burned. Not unbearably, but it did cause me to wonder if it heated up worse on the pain because that was the most painful spot."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2021

Capsaicin topical for Osteoarthritis "All 10 of my toes have felt broken for 1 month. They are not broken, but I have had osteoarthritis for many years. My pain is so bad that I'm on a Medrol dose pack. Last night around 9 pm, I put gloves on and massaged Capzasin-HP onto each toe. I put on loose socks and eventually went to bed around 11:30 pm. I just woke up at 1:25 am screaming and crying from the severe burning. I am a retired ER RN, but had zero knowledge of this. I quickly Googled how to neutralize and quickly dumped a brand new large vanilla yogurt on my toes, and after a good soak and rinse, got back in bed. Now, 20 minutes later, I am burning again severely. I called the Sanofi Medical complaint line, and they're closed with no room for a message. I am so annoyed."

• Pri...
• May 14, 2019

For Pain "I am currently in the worst pain ever, not from my knee pain but from this capsaicin - the burning sensation. I don’t care what you say, this stuff hurts and burns. I washed and washed, and ice doesn’t work - nothing works. I honestly would rather deal with bad knees before I ever put this on again. How the heck are they selling this stuff?"

• lmp...
• March 5, 2016

For Pain "Yes, it burns, even worse after putting it on at night, then waking up and taking a shower in the morning. The water hitting it, oh my! I used capsaicin patches for nerve damage pain in my rib after a car accident. It worked, the more you use it, the more effective it was. I am now using it on my neck (cream). My PCP told me it is one of those medications that the more you use it, the more benefit you will get... and the less the burn. I am hoping the cream works as well on my neck as the patches did for my rib."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2020

Capsaicin topical for Pain "I do not recommend this product! I have nerve pain in my foot that hurts like crazy. I thought if I used this product, it would soothe the nerves with a little warmth. What I got was a full-on 4-alarm fire in my foot. I tried everything I read online to stop the burning. It took me 10 hours to get some relief from the INTENSE burning sensation. One thing it did do was make me forget about the pain in my foot because the only thing I could focus on was how to make the burning stop. I read that if you put vinegar on it, that it would help. I tried that and instantly got relief. You can use it if you want to, but beware the burning is very intense and taking cold showers will not help."

• PWi...
• July 14, 2016

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "Been using 4% lidocaine (along with gabapentin, which has yet to do anything after a week) and ibuprofen for my postherpetic neuralgia. Asked Dr. for prescription-strength lidocaine cream, and he recommended OTC capsaicin. He recommended Zostric, but the Capsaicin-HP was on sale (0.01%), so I got that. Applied for the first time. Felt like my skin was on FIRE!!! MUCH worse than the neuralgia pain. And it lasted almost an hour, leaving me in worse pain than before I applied. Will never use this again."

• Sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2021

Capsaicin topical for Pain "Awful. Stay away from this product. I’ve never in my life experienced a pain quite like it. The burning sensation is absolutely crippling. Applied on my knees at 10 o’clock at night, it’s now 3am in the morning, and I’m up with wet towels, chamomile lotion, and Sudocrem trying to ease the pain. Literally feels like my skin is on fire. Highly considering dialing 999, the pain is that bad!"

• Jlt...
• April 3, 2016

Capsaicin topical for Pain "This should be called the burning lotion from hell. I put it on last night and my knees and elbows are still burning. And yes, several showers later, two at 1:30 a.m. Thanks a lot. I will NEVER EVER USE IT AGAIN. You can shove this burning sensation!!!!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2017

For Pain "I had this for my post-op nerve pain. Warning: wash hands after applying this!! This stuff burns bad, especially if you get it in your eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after applying it. It stings intensely for an hour or so, way more intense than deep heat, but right now seems to be calming down, and I have high hopes for it. I'll update after a week or two, but the intense burning cannot be overstated."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "My Dr. suggested this, and I will never use it again. I put it on around noon time. It’s now 11 p.m., and after 2 washes, still burning like crazy. My toes are killing me. I would not suggest this stuff. I hope I can sleep."

• Ski...
• April 30, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I have had problems with a knee that I injured while in the Navy 30 some years ago. For about 7 years, I have had to walk carefully as my knee would give out, and I would sometimes even fall. My knee was almost always grossly swollen. Since using this cream (4 times daily), my knee is still swollen slightly, but I can now walk anywhere and not worry about falling. My knee has not 'given out' in close to a year. I have been walking loads, and due to this new lease on life, I feel great. I personally have had no issue due to the burning sensation with this cream, but I would suggest that you test a small area first. As a disclaimer, there has been one other change in my life, and that is diet. My family and I have been eating super hot foods (mainly Thai influenced) for the last year as well. So I tend to get loads of capsaicin from my diet as well. With that being said, I stand behind Zacin one hundred percent."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2020

For Pain "I used this per my oncologist for neuropathy in my feet caused by chemo. NEVER EVER WILL I USE THIS AGAIN! I have been up all night trying to wash this off. The burning sensation is unbearable. Feels like my toes are roasting on a fire. This cream should be sold by prescription only so the patient is definitely warned about the burning sensation."

• jen...
• February 1, 2018

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "Dr. prescribed this for the treatment of my shingles pain. Instructed to use 4 times a day. The pain was so severe I cried my eyes out loud enough for my mom to wake up. She had to wipe it off, and the pain still continued for 40 minutes. When it was off, we could see my whole back was red and burnt. Awful pain when applied and did not help the condition of the shingles."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2020

Capsaicin topical for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I've tried everything, so I thought I'd try this OTC cream. Read the back. I generally don't ever have any side effects to medication. Until now... I applied it to my ankle and feet. Washed my hands with warm water and soap. Instantly, my hands started to burn. Like literally on fire. I washed again with mild soap, again with cold water, again with no soap, again with dish soap. Nothing works. It's now been 7 hours, and I'm seriously so annoyed. My ankle still hurts, and I'm still on fire!!!!"

• Pip...
• February 4, 2020

Capsaicin topical for Pain "Holy fudge. Hotter than a hot sauce. Tried washing it off after 10 mins as leg was burning like lava! Washing it off still didn’t work. An hour later, still burning. Ice packs, water spray bottle, damp cold cloths... still burning."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2018

Capsaicin topical for Pain "My left knee was hurting due to maybe overexercising it, so I decided to apply this. Pain in my knee went away almost instantly, but got replaced with a really hard burning sensation. Must say I have a very high pain threshold, but this cream was too much. The burning feeling is awful. I couldn't sleep at all. I already have washed the area several times, but it still burns. I think for very heavy pain, this could do the trick, but if your pain is not that heavy, it doesn't worth replacing a pain sensation with a bad burn sensation."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I used this capsaicin topical cream for severe neck and shoulder pain due to cervical spondylosis, and it worked wonderfully. There is a burning sensation when first applied and for a while after that, but it truly helps. I use a small amount in the morning and a larger amount in the evening. This and gabapentin are the only things that have made my neck pain tolerable."