Capsaicin cream can desensitize nerve fibers and potentially help with PHN. You can get it over the counter (OTC) or with a prescription. According to this 2016 review, capsaicin patches and creams are usually not recommended as a first-line treatment for PHN. This is because they can cause side effects like stinging or burning.

Neuralgia is a pain that comes from the nerves near the surface of your skin. This pain may occur after an infection with herpes zoster (shingles or postherpetic neuralgia). Capsaicin will help relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia, but it will not cure the condition.

If your doctor approves using capsaicin cream for postherpetic neuralgia from shingles, a typical dosage is to apply the cream to the affected areas four times a day. Consistent use is important in capsaicin's pain-relieving effects and will help reduce the initial intensity of burning sensations.

 To treat the pain of postherpetic neuralgia. Using an anaesthetic ointment (lidocaine 5%) before applying a topical analgesic cream (capsaicin cream) may help. The lidocaine can be bought over the counter, but the capsaicin cream needs to be prescribed by a doctor.