Treatment: Capsaicin

Capsaicin is a topical medication that can be rubbed into the skin to alleviate pain, itching, and other skin problems. Capsaicin is also available as a nutritional supplement and powder form so that it may be sprinkled in drinks or on food. Capsaicin is a natural ingredient found in many types of peppers that gives them their hot and spicy flavor. Capsaicin is thought to trigger the production of a chemical in the body that transmits pain messages between the nerves in the spinal cord and areas of the body. Capsaicin may be used to treat itchy skin, nerve pain (including shingles pain), joint pain (including arthritis pain), cluster headaches, and more. Brand names for capsaicin topicals include Icy Hot Arthritis, Capsin, Zostrix, and Trixaicin.