Capsaicin for Pain Relief

Capsaicin is a chemical compound found in certain peppers that make them hot. It is the most pungent in a group of chemicals called capsaicinoids. You’ll find it in most chili peppers and in some of the hottest peppers on the face of the Earth. When eaten, it makes you mouth burn, but when used in a topical cream, it can actually reduce your pain.

So how does a compound commonly known to cause insane pain within the mouth reduce pain when applied on the skin? When the cream is applied to the skin there is a period of enhanced sensitivity that can manifest as itching, burning, pricking, or heating. This is then followed by the area becoming desensitized. If you perform repeated regular applications, persistent desensitization occurs. There is pain relief after one application but there is a long lasting affect with multiple applications.

The other reason that capsaicin creams don’t hurt is because the actual amount of the compound in the creams is less than 0.1%. The total percentage can vary based on the reason for application.

Studies have shown that capsaicin creams can be effectively used for pain relief in osteoarthritis, psoriasis, mouth sores due to chemotherapy, and pain disorders. It is moderate pain reliever for musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain.

The one issue with capsaicin is that it can cause burning and other basic adverse effects in one in three users. These effects stop when you stop using the cream but it is bad enough that some people will stop using it entirely. I’ve never had this happen but it is understandable given what the compound is known for.

When most people think of topical creams associated with pain relief, they think of Bengay or Icy Hot which are both menthol based. You walk into a Geezer’s tournament and the place reeks of the stuff. These work well for most people, but for people like me who can’t stand the smell of menthol, we look elsewhere. I’ve found a few different things that work for me, but my favorite so far is Moon Valley Organics' herb blend with arnica and habanero. Arnica has healing qualities in its own right but the addition of the capsaicin pepper helps with pain relief. I’ve personally used it for muscular pain in my back as well as pain in my wrists.

A word of caution before applying any of these creams, thoroughly wash your hands after applications. If you get some of these ingredients in your eyes it can cause burning and you’ll have to wash your eyes out.

Works Cited

Chemistry and Scoville Units. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.chez-williams.com/Hot%20Sauce/chemistry_and_scoville_units.htm

Deal, C., Schnitzer, T., Lipstein E., Seibold, J., Stevens, R., Levy, M., Albert, D., Renold, F. (1991). Treatment of arthritis with topical capsaicin: a double-blind trial. Clinical Therapeutics, 13(3), 383-395. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/1954640#fragment-related-citations

Mason, L., Moore, A., Derry, S., Edwards, J., & McQuay, H. (2004). Systematic review of topical capsaicin for the treatment of chronic pain. BMJ, 328-991. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.bmj.com/content/328/7446/991?variant=full-text

WebMD. Capsaicin - Topic overview. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/tc/capsaicin-topic-overview

Image credit freedigitalphotos.net