OXFORD, United Kingdom—Topical capsaicin cream treatments may provide extra relief for individuals who suffer peripheral pain and peripheral neuropathies due to diabetes, cancer AIDS, shingles and arthritis, according to a new study from Oxford University. Capsaicin is the active component of chili peppers.
According to findings published in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, one drawback with capsaicin is that commonly patients experience local skin irritation—burning, stinging or redness—at the application site. These side effects generally prove mild and transient but do lead some patients to discontinue capsaicin. Capsaicin preparations available in the United States include Zostrix, Capzasin-P and RT Capsin.