Capsaicin cream

What is it current capsaicin?

Capsaicin is available topically. cream has been found to help relieve the pain of some arthritic conditions such as osteoarthritisrheumatoid arthritis. It has also been used to treat cutaneous dysesthesia and neuralgia.

Capsaicin is available as a 0.025% or 0.075% concentration cream in a 45g tube. The trade name is Zostrix® or Zostrix-HP®.

How does topical capsaicin work?

Capsaicin is the purified extracted alkaloid from red bell peppers (peppers). This is the substance that heats the chiles. The purified form of capsaicin has been found to relieve pain by reducing substance P, which is found in nerve endings and is involved in transmitting neuralgic and arthritic pain signals to the brain. Pain relief is not instantaneous after application, as it is the cumulative depletion of substance P over a period of weeks producing the full effect.

What is capsaicin used for?

Capsaicin is approved for use for the symptomatic relief of pain associated with osteoarthritis.

It has been used to treat nerve pain, including:

• Postherpetic neuralgia: Mild to severe pain on the surface of the skin in patients who have just had shingles (Herpes zoster). This pain occurs in about 20% of people and can persist for a month or more after shingles. eruption cure

• Trigeminal neuralgia: a disorder of the trigeminal nerve that causes episodes of severe, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the nerve endings reach (lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw, and lower jaw )
• Atypical facial pain: facial pain, often described as burning, aching, or cramping that occurs on one side of the face and may spread to the upper neck or back of the scalp.

• brachioradialis pruritus: an itch on the arms localized to the skin near the elbows.

• Nodular prurigo: a chronic condition characterized by intensely itchy lumps.

How to use capsaicin cream

can you buy capsaicin cream on the counter of pharmacies. Capsaicin should be used in the following way.

• Apply a small amount of cream with your fingers and rub it well into the affected area 3 or 4 times a day.
• Wash your hands after application if the hands are not the treatment sites or if you are applying the cream to someone else. If used for arthritis affecting the hands, do not wash your hands for at least 30 minutes after applying the cream.
• If used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, only apply capsaicin after herpes sores have healed.
• Capsaicin should be used regularly every day as directed. Immediate pain relief is not to be expected, depending on the type of pain. The full effect may take several weeks of regular use to achieve.
• Continue to use capsaicin regularly if needed.

Cautions

Capsaicin cream should not be applied to broken or infected skin. Seek medical advice first.

Avoid use near the eyes or other sensitive areas of the body. If capsaicin gets into your eyes, wash them out with water. Wash other sensitive areas with warm, soapy water.

Tight bandages should not be applied over capsaicin cream.

Side effects

The most common side effect of capsaicin use is a feeling of warmth and itching or a burning sensation after application. This sensation is related to the action of capsaicin on the skin and is to be expected. Approximately 50% of patients will experience mild to moderate stinging or burning. This sensation generally subsides after the first few days of application and in most cases will go away with time and continued use.

Methods used to reduce this sensation include:

• Avoid taking a hot bath or shower just before or after applying capsaicin cream.
• Try to stay cool, don't wear tight clothing or get too hot as heat can increase the sensation.
• Maintain the recommended or prescribed dosing schedule.