At the end of the study, four patients experienced remission and reversal of their symptoms, and 70 had their symptoms reduced. Capsaicin and Relaxation For local pain, capsaicin cream might be helpful. There have been no studies of capsaicin with lupus, but several studies have indicated that repeated use of capsaicin on a painful area can help desensitize the nerves in the area, and this desensitization can be maintained as long as the capsaicin is used regularly. But be aware that topical use of capsaicin cream brings a temporary sensation of burning before relief of pain begins. The good news is that with regular use, the benefits are cumulative.
Capsaicin is worth considering for the chronic pain of lupus.
Finally, stress exacerbates the symptoms of lupus, so an important part of a healing regimen is a regular relaxation program. There have been no studies of the effect of relaxation upon lupus, but its effect on rheumatoid arthritis, another autoimmune disease, has been studied. All rights reserved. Before you submit a question, please keep in mind that our experts receive hu ndreds of queries every day, so yours may not be answered directly. Or try our Medical Library , which contains tho usands of articles on nearly 300 health topics.