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Old 04-17-2015, 08:00 PM
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Littlepaw Littlepaw is offline
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Littlepaw Littlepaw is offline
Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,537
10 yr Member
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QUOTE=LIT LOVE;1136422]I was not a fan of Capsacin, but in theory it's supposed to eventually help to desensitize an area.[/QUOTE]

Capsaicin does desensitize cutaneous nerves by defunctionalizing certain types of pain receptors and preventing them from sending signals. There is a lengthy explanation of this in the article "Topical Capsaicin for Pain Management: Therapeutic Potential and Mechanism of Action" from 2011. High strength capsaicin of 8% in the form of Qutenza high dollar office use only patches is approved for post-herpetic neuralgia and is used for other types of hypersensitivity from nerve damage. I have read of it being used for CRPS allodynia. Over time with use of even 1% capsaicin cream the cutaneous nerves retract into the skin due to being defunctionalized. These do wake up and recover function before recovery of sensation apparently. I always wonder if you "defunctionalize" them long enough if they will either reset or die off and you potentially grow new ones that have less hypersensitivity. Wouldn't that be cool. I have used OTC capsaicin right over my scars, it only affects the skin not deeper nerves.

Sending Healing Love,
Littlepaw

Last edited by Littlepaw; 04-18-2015 at 07:35 AM. Reason: Addition
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