Capsaicin 0.075% Cream

I have neuropathy, accompanied by a relentless itch in my heels. I noticed an improvement within just a few days of use. For neuropathy, you’re supposed to use it 2-3 times daily for the first two weeks, followed by as needed application. It’s now been two weeks and the itch/tingling is minimal, this cream has really been a life saver. On a side note - it did dye my skin yellow, but it went away with a few washes. The directions say to wash your hands after applying, but there have been a few times I apparently did not wash them thorough enough and touched my face some time after, which burned pretty badly.

I have had this freakin nerve itch for years! Never knew what it was, just knew that I can’t seem to get rid of it. Not only was it an annoying itch but it was also hard to reach so I always had to use my back scratcher or have someone scratch it for me and they could never quite get the right spot. Then one day I decided to google the freakin itch and lo and behold, it has a name! NOTALGIA PARASTHETICA! Apparently it’s not a real itch but a sensation caused by a nerve being essentially “pinched” within a muscle. Capsaicin Cream is supposed to help the sensation to be less intense so worth a shot for sure. The only thing I will tell you is to not make the mistake I made and apply this with your hand because it burns and it can burn your eyes if you touch them and if you have a small child you don’t wanna touch them with that hand. So I now apply it with a q-tip and IT WORKS!!!! I apply when I can remember. I try to do it twice daily but even with me applying once a day (usually before bed), it has helped tremendously. My back scratcher has been retired to the nightstand drawer. If you have this itch, do yourself a favor and get this cream. It works!

Warning: Use gloves when applying this product. I purchased this stuff, applied it to my feet for my diabetic pain, and did not put on gloves. My hands burned for hours, and it would not wash off. I then made the mistakes of rubbing my eye and, later in the day, using the restroom.

It doesn't really smell that bad. But works great on my hands

This is the most horrible product from hell I have ever known. My legs have been itching for no apparent reason and Mayo Clinic suggested this product for itch relief. I got gold bond, another and this. Gold bond did well but went quickly. Other did nothing. So it was this one’s turn. Right before bed, quick leg rub down, tucked in. About a minute later I feel a tingling burning sensation on my scrotum. 3 minutes later I’m at a level 10 on the pain scale (as bad as passing my first kidney stone) rush to bathroom, soap and water. Nothing. Icey shower going “right there” for 15 minutes. Nothing. I lay in the fetal position on the bathroom floor for honestly 50 minutes due to no other choice. Then I CRAWLED to bed. (FYI, at this moment the itch relief effect wore off and my legs were itching like crazy again. Stayed in bed at a level 10 for about another hour then dropped to an 8. At an 8, I could get my phone and google and, buried, found an article by screen name “Mormon mother” (if you’re out there, bless you woman) who gave a trick of OLIVE OIL. Didn’t want to move but forced myself to the kitchen, olive oil half bottle plunge……. Two minutes later, I was at a 4. I can live with a 4. No fun but paradise when coming off a 10. Somewhere in the process, out of nowhere (keep in mind I only rubbed a modest amount all around my thighs) my sphincter catches fire. The level 4 lasted thru until late the next evening. My fault for not reading but it says on label “do not use if allergic to chili peppers”. 🤷🏻‍♂️ PART 2: 3 days later, I have back problems and my back flares up. So, I thought “why waste, let’s redirect” and had a modest amount rubbed into my back. The “icy hot” type sensation lasted about another hour hour and ehhh. Ok. Better than testies made of hot coal. Then, 14 1/2 hours later, out of nowhere, my back is in FIRE! I go to the kitchen and get some aloe out of the fridge to apply. My grown daughter walks in and immediately says “My god dad, where did you get so sunburned?” I told her it was the f*<€ing devil cream and she said my god. And helped me put on aloe. It’s the next night now and my shoulder are still burning bad. I see no benefit to this product unless you have a TRUE enemy or are an adolescent boy learning one of life’s lessons. And again, Mormon mom? If you’re out there, give me and address so I can send you a fruit basket or something.

Works good, but do not touch your face or get in eyes. Even after washing hands a day or two, still on there. Very potent.

This does the heating job, not necessarily immediately, but especially if skin is exposed to direct or indirect heat. The sun shining on pants legs being indirect. A hot shower being direct. The heating effect can last a couple of days, off and on, even after having showered. Full disclosure: I am actually experimenting with this on numb neuropathy of my feet and lower legs, hoping to encourage circulation and slow the numbing and muscle weakening. My neurologist didn't tell me to do this. It is strictly my own notion. Being elderly, my skin is dry, and though this cream actually adds moisture to my skin, the teensy bit of dust from inside my pants legs makes me have a mild, dry cough when I remove my pants. That isn't a product defect. It's just part of using it.

I've noticed that recently diclofenac topical gel has taken over almost all the shelf space that used to be occupied by capsaicin compounds like this on drugstore shelves. Diclofenac topical is a good product. It's a local anti-inflammatory, which is safer than oral NSAIDS, and can help a lot. However capsaicin, such as this product, works in a different way: it's a true painkiller that blocks nerve impulses. And there's no reason not to use them both, layering them on, to get even better relief than either one alone. Capsaicin takes a couple weeks to kick in well. At that point, it will cut pain by about 50%. If that's not enough, try adding diclofenac and/or or take some oral painkiller (I use tylenol). The problem with capsaicin topical is that it can cause a lot of pain if you don't wait long enough before bathing or working up a sweat. Your skin eventually gets used to it so that doesn't happen, but it's a good idea to start very cautiously with tiny amounts and then gradually increase. I've used several brands of capsaicin. This inexpensive brand is as good as any. I use it just on the areas of my knees that hurt. Glad that we finally have two types of topicals that are both very helpful for pain! Good luck with your pain!