Hello. I have had SFN for 3 years now but was just recently diagnosed. I have a real problem after my shower, if the water is warm. I have taken cold showers for over 2 years. The lotion I applied after the shower would also exasperate the pins and needles and burning pain I was having in my legs. I found Gold Bond Medicated extra strength lotion and it is great. I have very dry skin and I need to moisturize. This lotion has a cooling menthol effect. It feels great even after dressing I feel the cooling effects. Give it a try. I hope it helps somebody else. God bless.

Hello KATO
I moved this thread from the New Member Introductions forum to our Peripheral Neuropathy forum for you
Your intro thread is still on New Members Small fiber neuropathy

That sounds great. I have a fan that I turn on to circulate the air and cool down my skin during/after my shower. I used to use it just in the summertime, but now I like it most days.

I hope it works for you! ☺

Hi KATO

Thanks for the info on the lotion. It sounded interesting, and like you I have dry skin, and I'm always looking for a good lotion. I looked the product up (on the manufacturer's website) and I noticed among the warnings it says "not for prolonged use". It didn't give any reasons why and I don't know enough about the ingredients listed to know what might cause problems - maybe MrsD might know more? Have you had any issues? Possibly the manufacturer is just being cautious?

Okay, here is what I think:

This is a link to the product with ingredients.
Medicated Extra Strength Body Lotion - Gold Bond Medicated

It is probably the menthol, but also maybe the parabens.
Parabens are being removed from US topical products, but that is going pretty slowly. The warning is possibly mandated by the FDA gras list. Some things allowed OTC show up as possibly safe, so a warning goes on the product label.

There are an awful lot of chemicals in this product.

Two things about SFN..

1) avoid heat and hot temperatures (showers, baths).
This stimulates the nerves and makes the pain more long lasting and intense. Use only lukewarm water. Avoid heating pads, saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms etc.

2) Menthol stimulates cold receptors biochemically and blocks the slower heat nerve signals briefly. It is often used in topical pain products to reduce pain, for that reason. This is only a brief effect however, and does not change anything. Some people do develop sensitization to menthol, but it is not really common. So allergic reactions are possible.

There are often warnings on products that diabetics use on the skin. This is because, they may mask skin damage, which may progress to infections, which may become gangerous and require ultimate amputation.

If anyone here with PN has severe dry skin, this suggests the diet is lacking Omega-3 fatty acids. Flax oil especially provides the essential Omega-3 for skin and mucous membrane maintenace. Providing this by supplements is a good idea.
Also the Omega-3 long chains that are made in the tissues from the flaxoil (alpha linolenic acid) EPA and DHA work as anti-inflammatories and nerve repair Omega-3s. If the diet is low or not providing these essential nutrients the skin will become terrible. In teens during their growth spurts, this often contributes to severe acne. In adults it shows as dry skin and dandruff.

I haven't had any issues but I have only been using it for about 2 weeks and not every day. I didn't read the lable. Who would think lotion would hurt you. I didn't anyway. I guess my world has changed. I need to start reading labels and check out the product on line. Thanks for the info. God bless!

My daughter deals in essential oils. She combines tea tree and peppermint with a carrier lotion which works well for cooling my burning feet at night. It helps till I at least can fall asleep. Essential oils and the lotions she uses are free from all chemicals.