Capsaicin (topical)

What is it?

Capsaicin cream is a topical medication derived from capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers that gives them their heat. It is used for its analgesic properties to relieve pain from various conditions.

How does it work for medicinal purposes?

Capsaicin works by binding to the TRPV1 receptor (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1) on sensory nerve endings, leading to an initial sensation of heat followed by desensitization of the nerve endings. This process reduces the transmission of pain signals, providing relief from pain.

What are the active ingredients that are important for its medicinal properties?

The primary active ingredient in capsaicin cream is capsaicin itself. It may also contain other components that enhance its absorption and efficacy.

What forms does it come in?

• Topical cream
• Gel
• Ointment
• Patches

What if I have an imbalance or deficiency?

There is no specific deficiency associated with capsaicin. However, individuals experiencing chronic pain conditions may benefit from the pain-relieving properties of capsaicin cream.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

Capsaicin has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Capsaicin cream, as a modern medical product, was developed and gained FDA approval in the 20th century for pain management.

Which conditions and symptoms does it help?

Capsaicin cream has been shown in clinical trials to help with the following conditions and symptoms:

1. Arthritis: Reduces joint pain and inflammation. Studies have shown significant pain relief in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients.
2. Neuropathic Pain: Alleviates pain from nerve damage, such as postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Clinical trials indicate a reduction in neuropathic pain severity.
3. Muscle Pain: Provides relief from muscle strains and sprains. Research shows improved pain management and faster recovery.
4. Back Pain: Reduces chronic lower back pain. Studies suggest significant improvements in pain levels with regular use.
5. Psoriasis: Alleviates itching and discomfort associated with psoriasis. Clinical trials indicate reduced itchiness and improved skin condition.
6. Migraine: Applied intranasally, it can reduce the frequency and severity of cluster headaches. Studies have shown significant relief from headache symptoms.
7. Post-surgical Pain: Reduces pain following surgical procedures. Research suggests improved pain management post-surgery.
8. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain: Alleviates pain in the jaw and face associated with TMJ disorders. Studies indicate a reduction in pain and improved jaw function.
9. Peripheral Artery Disease: Improves symptoms of pain in the extremities. Clinical trials suggest relief from pain related to poor blood circulation.
10. Fibromyalgia: Reduces widespread musculoskeletal pain. Research indicates potential benefits in managing fibromyalgia symptoms.

What does Capsaicin (topical) help with?

Capsaicin is the compound that makes chili peppers hot. Chili peppers were grown in Mesoamerica and South America for thousands of years. Rubbing them on sore spots for pain was written down long before modern medicine.

• Ongoing nerve pain
  Strong evidence — many randomised human trials, including trials of the high-dose 8% patch. Capsaicin is one of the best-studied skin treatments for long-term nerve pain. In trials of the 8% patch, one treatment session cut pain for up to 12 weeks. This included nerve pain caused by diabetes, chemotherapy, or injury.
  Evidence grade A · Traditional tier T0
• Pain that lingers after shingles
  Strong evidence — clinical trials in adults; the 8% patch is FDA-approved for this use. This burning, stabbing pain is known to be hard to treat. In clinical trials, the 8% patch clearly lowered pain scores in adults. Relief usually began in the first two weeks and lasted for months.
  Evidence grade A · Traditional tier T0
• Burning or tingling nerve pain in the feet and legs from diabetes
  Strong evidence — randomised trials of both daily low-dose cream and the high-dose patch. Low-dose cream used every day lowered pain in trials. The high-dose prescription patch did too. In lab work on nerves, capsaicin slowly quiets the overactive fibres behind the burning and tingling.
  Evidence grade A · Traditional tier T0
• Sore, stiff joints from osteoarthritis
  Strong evidence — several placebo-controlled clinical studies of knees, hands and hips. Across these studies, capsaicin cream beat placebo for arthritis pain. It works where you put it, so side effects were mainly short-lived skin warmth. Some people use it as one option for leaning less on pain pills.
  Evidence grade A · Traditional tier T0
• Everyday muscle aches, sore joints and sports strains
  Early evidence — wide use and smaller studies, with no large trial on file. Creams and gels are used a lot for general muscle and joint soreness. Reported pain relief built up over the first few weeks of steady use. The warming effect is thought to raise blood flow in the area, but that is mechanism work, not trial proof.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Itchy skin, including the itch of psoriasis
  Early evidence — small human studies of chronic itch. In these studies, regular use lowered how strong and how often the itch felt. A few people also saw mild easing of skin scaling. Itch and pain share many of the same nerve paths, which is nerve science rather than a trial of this cream.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Long-term low back pain
  Early evidence — human studies showing modest benefit, mainly for pain in one spot. Studies of capsaicin on the skin found small but real drops in back pain. It helped most when the pain sat in one area of the back. It was tested next to movement and physical therapy, not in place of them.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Cluster headaches, using dilute capsaicin inside the nose
  Early evidence — a few small trials of nasal use. In small trials, dilute capsaicin was placed in the nostril on the painful side. Headaches came less often with repeated use. The aim is to dull the trigeminal nerve path, and this should only be done with a doctor's guidance.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Widespread pain from fibromyalgia
  Evidence doesn't support this — no strong human trial on file; reasoning drawn from nerve biology. Fibromyalgia involves pain nerves that fire too easily, so a nerve-calming cream looks like a logical fit. That logic is not the same as proof, and the human evidence here is weak. Any use would sit inside a wider care plan, with the benefit unproven.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T0

What Capsaicin (topical) has not been shown to do

• It has not been shown to repair damaged nerves; the trials measured pain scores, not nerve healing.
• It has not been shown to treat the shingles virus itself, only the pain left behind after the rash.
• It has not been shown to clear psoriasis plaques; studies reported itch relief and mild scaling change at most.
• It has not been shown to ease fibromyalgia pain across the whole body.
• It has not been shown to replace movement or physical therapy for back pain, since it was studied as an add-on.
• It has not been shown to change blood sugar or diabetes itself, only pain from nerve damage.
• It has not been shown to act as a whole-body pain remedy, because it works where you put it.

How to read this:

A means steady results from randomised human trials. B means at least one good human trial. C means small or mixed human studies. D means the human evidence is weak or clashes. This page reports what studies found. It is not medical advice, not a promise of relief, and not a substitute for talking with your own doctor.

Which conditions and symptoms does it help prevent?

Capsaicin cream is primarily used for symptomatic relief and does not prevent conditions. However, regular use can help manage chronic pain and prevent flare-ups of pain symptoms.

Which foods are rich in it?

Capsaicin is naturally found in chili peppers, including:

1. Cayenne Pepper
2. Habanero Pepper
3. Jalapeño Pepper
4. Serrano Pepper
5. Tabasco Pepper
6. Bird's Eye Chili
7. Scotch Bonnet
8. Chili Powder
9. Paprika
10. Red Pepper Flakes

What are possible side effects?

Capsaicin cream is generally well-tolerated, but possible side effects include:

• Common (10-30%)
• Burning or stinging sensation at the application site
• Redness
• Itching
• Less Common (1-10%)
• Dry skin
• Rash
• Rare (<1%)
• Severe skin irritation
• Allergic reactions (e.g., swelling, difficulty breathing)

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended usage of capsaicin cream varies, but it is generally applied 2 to 4 times daily. It is important to follow the specific instructions provided on the product packaging or by a healthcare professional.

How many days does it take to work?

Some pain relief can be felt within a few hours of application, but the full effects of capsaicin cream may take several days to a few weeks of regular use to become apparent.

What time of day is best to take it?

Capsaicin cream can be applied at any time of day, but it is typically used throughout the day at regular intervals to maintain its pain-relieving effects.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Capsaicin cream is applied topically and is not affected by food intake. However, it is important to wash hands thoroughly after application and avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, and other sensitive areas.