The Effect of Repeated Topical Application of Capsaicin on Nerve Conduction

The objectives of this study are to assess the effectiveness of topical application of capsaicin cream on nerve conduction and to assess it clinically on human patients with facial pain. 1. A 0.075% capsaicin cream was repeatedly applied daily to the upper right lateral maxillary gingiva of rats. They were divided into seven groups consisting of a control group, a five-day treatment group, and one, two, three, four, and five-week treatment groups. Trigeminal sensory evoked potentials were measured in order to provide an objective assessment of its effect on nerve conduction. 2. Fifteen patients, who suffer from facial pain, were instructed to apply the capsaicin cream twice daily to the painful area and were asked about the subjective effect of its application by using a pain score (0-10). At five days it was observed that the capsaisin was already having an effect on suppressing amplitude, and at two weeks the effect was very pronounced. Out of the ten patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, six reported a reduction in pain. Out of the five patients suffering from CRPS, four reported a reduction in pain. These results suggested that the topical application of capsaicin cream to oral mucosa causes nerve conduction suppression and the topical application of it to facial pain areas can be used as a means of supplementary pain control for patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia and CRPS.