Capsaicin Use

@AmbiePam (121092)
United States
June 15, 2026 2:44pm CST
So last week my pain management doctor moved my appointment from last week to this week. Which meant, of course, I ended up with no pain medication, at least until this Wednesday. It’s been quite a painful week, but today it got really tough. I decided to dig through my cabinets, and I found Capsaicin. I also found some food preparation gloves so I don’t get it on my hands. In case you’re unfamiliar, capsaicin is what makes peppers hot. The heat is supposed to help pain. I am so glad I had gloves because I’m familiar with the consequences of it. Yes, I wash my hands very well. However, I’ve touched my eye after applying it, not realizing what I was doing. Ow. I remember my Nana used it once, washed her hands, then used the bathroom, only to come out very uncomfortable. What are your experiences with capsaicin?
14 people like this
12 responses
@DaddyEvil (174699)
• United States
2h
I've never used it. I have tried Icy Hot ONCE and had to get mom to wash is off me again. I ended up with a burn that looked and felt like a sunburn. It HURT! I can use tea tree oil on muscle aches and it dulls the pain without burning my skin.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
2h
Yea tree oil, really? That’s a great tip, thank you so much.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
54m
@DaddyEvil Yeah, I misspelled it. Lol I knew.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174699)
• United States
1h
@AmbiePam It's Tea tree oil. And you're welcome. When you go looking for it, the bottle will be sky blue but that's actually the color of the oil and the bottle itself is clear. It's from Australia.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
12h
I have some of it on hand. If you get it on your hands or any place else you do not want it, apply cooking oil, then wash. I actually prefer it in a blended cream with other ingredients. Did it help your pain?
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
5h
@AmbiePam I actually like "Advil targeted relief" cream. It has capsaicin, menthol, camphor and a salicylate combined. It seems to do better than any of the other creams I have tried. Of course using what you have on hand is smart, but if you ever replenish,I like the other.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
5h
@GardenGerty Okay, thanks for the tip.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
12h
It deadens it just enough not to make me cry. Thanks for the tip!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (209132)
• United States
10h
Never have used capasvin, but one time I had pepper spray in my purse. The canister leaked..and while fumbling around in there..I got it on my fingers and on my face..in my eyes too..PAINFUL!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
10h
Oh, that sounds dreadful.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (209132)
• United States
7h
@AmbiePam It was not good.
2 people like this
@rakski (156709)
• Philippines
5h
never tried that before. I hope your eyes are okay
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
4h
Oh, yes, thank you.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98106)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10h
My mother swore by an Chinese ointment known as tiger balm and it worked well for both of us heating up the painful spot, It could also be applied to the forehead to take away headaches, I hope this ointment helps you,
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
10h
I’ll look that up.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382464)
• Rockingham, Australia
1h
Mum had this in her medicine cupboard too.
@MarieCoyle (59351)
12h
As you may remember, I am highly allergic to all things hot pepper. The only peppers I can eat are bell peppers and those tiny sweet peppers. The others cause my throat to close so I have to be careful. I hope it helps you, I hate to think of you in pain all the time, Amber.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
12h
Oh, I’ll be okay, Marie, but thank you for being so sweet.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59351)
11h
@AmbiePam It’s always seemed strange to me that my Dad and his brother had the very same problem with peppers. What a weird thing to inherit!!
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77288)
• Philippines
8h
I have never used such at all. Is it really effective in getting rid of the pain?
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
6h
Yes.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135966)
• Marion, Ohio
10h
I have never used it. I always wear gloves when handling hot peppers
2 people like this
@xFiacre (14798)
• Ireland
7h
@AmbiePam None, but I do recall once using the bathroom after chopping fresh chillies which wasn’t a good idea.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
6h
Oh, boy.
2 people like this
@Fleura (35109)
• United Kingdom
31m
Yes don't rub your eyes, lick your fingers or pick your nose!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
13m
Ew.
@JudyEv (382464)
• Rockingham, Australia
1h
For a moment, I thought you'd spelt capsicum incorrectly. lol I'm sorry you're in so much pain.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
53m
Thanks, Judy.
• United States
11h
I did what your nana did. Now I have gloves
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121092)
• United States
11h
Oh, man.
2 people like this