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Capsaicin as a Therapeutic Molecule pp 293–306Cite as

The Role of Capsaicin in Dermatology

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Part of the book series: Progress in Drug Research ((PDR,volume 68))

Abstract

Neurogenic pain and pruritus are the common chief complaints at dermatology office visits. Unfortunately, they are also notoriously difficult conditions to treat. Topical capsaicin used as a single therapy or as an adjuvant offers a low-risk option for patients who do not achieve control on other therapies. This chapter presents the evidence behind topical capsaicin use in dermatologic conditions characterized by neurogenic pain or pruritus, including postherpetic neuralgia, notalgia paresthetica, brachioradial pruritus, lichen simplex chronicus, prurigo nodularis, pruritus ani, pruritus of hemodialysis, aquagenic pruritus, apocrine chromhidrosis, lipodermatosclerosis, alopecia areata, and psoriasis. It presents the most common capsaicin formulations, dosages, and durations of treatment for each condition. Additionally, the chapter addresses various adverse effects and limitations in the use of topical capsaicin in dermatology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0214, USA

    Katherine Boyd, Sofia M. Shea & James W. Patterson

Authors
  1. Katherine Boyd
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  2. Sofia M. Shea
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  3. James W. Patterson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James W. Patterson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Toxicology and Narcotics, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt

    Omar M. E. Abdel-Salam

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© 2014 Springer Basel

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Boyd, K., Shea, S.M., Patterson, J.W. (2014). The Role of Capsaicin in Dermatology. In: Abdel-Salam, O. (eds) Capsaicin as a Therapeutic Molecule. Progress in Drug Research, vol 68. Springer, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-0828-6_12

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