People have long used spicy hot cayenne pepper to add some heat to popular recipes. The same properties that make it popular for spicing up favorite recipes also makes it a useful pain reliever. For people with diabetes, cayenne can help treat a common complication of the condition, called diabetic neuropathy. However, you should always consult with your doctor before using cayenne medicinally.
Use With Diabetes
Cayenne has been promoted for use in people with diabetes who have neuropathy because of the condition. It has no effect on blood sugar levels and cannot take the place of medicines you use to control glucose levels. Instead, people use it to try to improve nerve pain in the legs and feet that often develops with diabetes, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Neuropathy is a complication of diabetes. You should never self-treat diabetes or any complications you experience unless under the supervision of a knowledgeable medical professional.
How It Works
The main active ingredient in cayenne -- capsaicin -- has powerful and effective pain-relieving actions when applied topically to the skin. In fact, capsaicin is one of the active ingredients in many over-the-counter pain relief creams. When applied to the skin in an area where you experience pain, the capsaicin interferes with a chemical that sends pain signals to the brain, thereby decreasing the amount of pain you experience. Because of potential risks and side effects, you should always consult with a doctor before using cayenne to treat diabetic neuropathy.
How to Use It
If you want to try cayenne to improve pain from neuropathy, look for a cream containing 0.025 percent to 0.075 percent capsaicin, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends. You can apply it to the affected skin up to four times a day. However, because of how capsaicin works you may experience an increase in pain and discomfort before it begins to subside. For significant relief, you may have to wait three to seven days.
Side Effects and Precautions
You may experience burning or itching on the skin where you apply capsaicin creams, but these effects tend to resolve quickly with no intervention. Because of the effects on skin, you may want to wear gloves when applying it, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center advises. Also, the active ingredients in the cream do not typically dissolve in water, so you may need to use vinegar to remove it from your skin. Also, because of the heat-producing capabilities of the capsaicin you should not apply a heating pad to the skin where you applied it or take a hot shower while it is on your skin. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying it to prevent getting it in your eyes or mouth.
