There is a cure for this--it's Capsaicin cream. It has to be diluted in a 4:1 ratio with shea butter. There is a professor in CA who presented this at a Dermatology Convention years ago, and I found his findings on the web. Everyone who tried this after my initial post found relief. For me,The cream worked immediately, but at first you may have to use it daily, and then you can go to a few times a week, then weekly, then monthly, then only once every few months. It burns horribly the first five minutes, but this is normal, and the reason why it has to be diluted, because even at the 4:1 ratio it's so strong.
Anyway, I still visit this site because I know how desperate I was for relief and a cure, and want to share my experience with others.Here is the info I copied straight from the article of the experiment that Dr. ****** did. I hope this helps lend credibility for all of you. I was afraid to try diluting it on my own, which is why I went to a compounding pharmacy, but had my doctor not written a prescription I would have resorted to doing it on my own also. I do hope this helps.
\"Several topical capsaicin products are available; however, they contain a much greater percentage of the extract (0.035%-0.025%). Dr. ****** recommends a milder formulation of 0.006% extract, which he has specially compounded at a local pharmacy.
Patients should apply the ointment to the affected area once a day. After a few weeks, they may be able to reduce the application to once every other day, but the itching may return if they stop treatment.
Dr. ****** has only treated about five patients with the ointment. His interest in the therapy was sparked by a 2003 study by J***** L***, M.D., and colleagues at ******* University.
They randomized 44 patients to either a 0.006% capsaicin ointment or 1% menthol ointment for 4 weeks. A 1-week washout period followed, after which the groups were crossed to the other therapy (Gut 2003; 52:1323-6).
A total of 31 patients experienced relief during capsaicin treatment and did not respond to menthol. Capsaicin treatment was unsuccessful in 13 patients. Only four dropped out, because of a burning sensation at the site of application. Most patients said the burning feeling lessened with use. After 11 months' follow-up, 29 patients were able to reduce their use of the ointment to once every other day with maintained efficacy.
Dr. **** decided on the 0.006% concentration after a dose-finding study. He created the ointment by diluting prescription capsaicin ointment of 0.025% (Zostrix) in a 1:4 ratio in white, soft paraffin.\"
COPYRIGHT 2005 International Medical News Group
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