Shingles affects millions of people every single year. If you’ve had chickenpox, then it’s likely that you’ll experience shingles at some point during your life. It’s the same virus (herpes zoster). It just stays dormant in your body after the first outbreak, and can reemerge years later. It’s painful, itchy, and can leave lingering pain after the lesions are gone. Capsaicin for shingles treatment can be effective, but there are a few things that you should know.
What’s Capsaicin?
Capsaicin is the chemical that makes peppers hot. It is also a known analgesic, or pain reliever. It works by blocking the pain signals to the brain by desensitizing receptors in the area where it is applied, and by reducing the concentration of substance P, which is helps to transmit pain signals to the brain.
When Do Shingles Strike?
Shingles can occur at just about any point in your life after you’ve had chickenpox. However, there are certain conditions and situations that make an outbreak more likely. Those over about 60 years of age are more likely to experience a shingles outbreak simply due to the reduced immunity of their cells. In the same vein, any condition that results in a reduced immune system can also encourage a shingles outbreak. For instance, patients with HIV, those with suppressed immune systems due to medications, and others are all at a higher risk of shingles than those with healthy immune systems.
How Does Capsaicin for Shingles Work?
Capsaicin treatment for shingles takes the form of a topical application – a cream or lotion, for instance. It is rubbed into the affected area, and will begin to provide pain relief shortly afterward. However, there are some things that shingles sufferers should understand about this type of treatment.
One of the defining characteristics of capsaicin is the sense of heat it generates. This is obvious when biting into a hot pepper, but it will also produce a tingling or burning sensation on the skin when applied as a cream or ointment. This is noticed by anyone using such a product, including for arthritis pain, for muscle pain, for cluster headaches or even backache. However, shingles sufferers seem to notice the burning more than others, and it can be almost painful. Understand that the sensation will diminish over time, usually after using the cream for a couple of days.
How to Use Capsaicin for Shingles
In most instances, your doctor will recommend a cream or ointment to help treat shingles. This should be applied in a small amount to the affected area three to four times per day. As mentioned, you will experience a tingling or burning sensation, and it may be considerable. Continue using the cream as directed, and the sensation will abate over the course of a couple of days. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a capsaicin oil instead of a cream or ointment, but it will be applied in the same way. Patches are generally not used for treating shingles, though.