Capsaicin topical and Stinging: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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]."

• 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."

• Zos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2022

Capsaicin topical for Osteoarthritis "Started using it for my knees. Use gloves when you put it on. I did not feel a thing (no burning or stinging) when I started using it. Then I put my knee brace on and my knees started heating up. Felt great. Use very little. Expensive $25 for a tube. It is worth it."

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2022

For Pain "I tried this capsicum .10 pain cream, CVS brand. Now my feet-specifically the tops of my feet and my toes' cuticles-have been burning 14/10, bad stinging, redness, and swelling. Wish I didn’t put that on my feet. It did not reduce any pain, it created inflammation, swelling, and has been causing severe pain for 3 hours. I used scrub gloves in the shower, so I assume the chili pepper got a deeper application than it was supposed to. They should have warnings on this. The tops of my feet and toes burning and stinging. I have used soap and cold water, milk, cold water bucket soak for hours, alcohol wipes, ice, cold water bottles. It hurts to walk, and my toes are visibly swollen. I would never use that again and wouldn’t want that to happen to another person. Used this 1-2 times ever."