Cluster headaches are an extremely disruptive condition, causing severe pain, with no existing cure. Typical treatments, including the use of over-the-counter pain relievers, oxygen and migraine medication, aim to reduce pain. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, may also help reduce pain symptoms, but is considered an alternative treatment. If you suffer from cluster headaches, you should discuss using capsaicin with your doctor first.
About Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches occur in bouts that may appear for weeks or months, followed by a period of remission. Pain is severe and often involves one side of the head and face. The pain usually centers around the eye and eyelid droopiness, stuffy or runny nose, tearing and eye redness may also occur. Typical descriptions of cluster headache are sensations of burning and sharp pain that worsen when lying down.
About Capsaicin
Chili peppers are the natural source of capsaicin, the ingredient that gives peppers their spiciness and hot flavor. Used as folk medicine for many years, examination of capsaicin's link to pain relief has been studied. It's believed that capsaicin works at suppressing substance P, a chemical messenger of pain sent to the brain. Capsaicin is available as a pill, cream or nasal spray. It is often recommended by doctors to relieve pain associated with shingles, diabetic neuropathy and psoriasis.
Capsaicin and Cluster Headaches
A 1994 study in the journal "Pain" found that capsaicin prevented the occurrence of cluster headache attacks. When used as a nasal spray on the affected side of the head, capsaicin may relieve both the frequency and the severity of pain. Instead of a nasal spray, capsaicin cream applied near the nasal passage on the affected side may also help. It's very important to use capsaicin for cluster headaches only under the supervision of a doctor.
Recommendations
Capsaicin, when applied as a cream, causes an initial burning sensation that tends to decrease with repeated application. Capsaicin should not be used in areas with skin wounds or cracks. Certain medications may be affected by capsaicin, as well. If you're taking aspirin, blood thinners, ACE inhibitors, theophylline and stomach acid reducers, it's especially important to discuss using capsaicin with your doctor.
