Topical creams and lotions for Small Fiber Neuropathy

Posted by jeffrapp @jeffrapp, Oct 11, 2019

This topic has been addressed in other posts. However, it is somewhat scatter shot, so I thought it would be appropriate to address it as a separate subject.
I have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I have tried numerous creams and other preparations. Sometimes I think they are working a little, sometimes not at all.
As examples, I have used lidocaine 5%, various cannabinoids (as balms, creams and soaks), cantherides (that hurt!) and various combinations of compounded creams containing lidocaine, ketamine, phenytoin, ketoralac and others (all of which are very expensive and not covered by MediCare).
One of my "theories" is that they are not penetrating enough, so I tried a few of them with DMSO cream, which is a solvent and supposedly penetrates the skin. Still no real success.
I'd be interested to hear from others about their experiences with topicals, and particularly any suggestions or tricks that makes them work better.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

@pkagarwal

I came across this research posting on a number of sites suggesting that a 10% topical cream helps reduce neuropathy pain. Has anyone tried using this Trachyspermum amm (Ajwain) topical cream? In fact, I have not been able to locate a source for this. Ajwain essential oil is avaialble. I would appreciate the insight of fellow neuro-travellers!

Trachyspermum ammi 10 % topical cream versus placebo on neuropathic pain, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
I cannot post the URL link but a search on the above line will take you to the page.

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@pkagarwal, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to a web resource with your message. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post are not spam, so allow me to post it here.

- Trachyspermum ammi 10 % topical cream versus placebo on neuropathic pain, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27166709/

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I too have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy and have tried numerous topicals. The only one I've ever found that helped me at all was a product by Avon called Foot Works. It is inexpensive and the smell reminds me of Vicks, but it seems to help me.

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Hi, I'm Joe and a first time contributor. At some point in time I will tell my Idiopathic PN story. Anything I relate are my personal experiences.For the moment I will address the use of topicals. There are many, but I am reluctant to say none have relieved the the numbness, which is the result of the very miniscule blood vessels in the feet losing their ability to pump blood in either direction. They eventually dry and die, thus denying the nerves the necessary nutrients to survive and in turn they are permanently damaged. Neither the vessels or nerves renew themselves. So we are left to our own devices to find relief. Much more on that at a later date. I am like a lot of you. We spend money with the hope that the many supplements and creams will help. It is all a come on, but we still try. If there is one cream or balm that might help, it would probably be rather high in cannabis content. Needless to say, I don't believe any such item is available on the internet. Maybe in states allowing the sale of marijuana. I presently have been using a top rated balm, ( by those who rate?) produced by Lazarus Naturals. It is one of the CBD products available. Does absolutely nothing and yet is highly rated to relieve PN symptoms. Because it has produced no relief for me doesn't mean you shouldn't try it or one of the other CBD products. Good luck and I will relate my PN story and what I do to alter it's progression, to maintain adequate balance and try walking like a healthy man. My regimen is lengthy and done religiously every day and throughout the course of every day. By the way, in addition to my home regimen, I do several resistant.exercises at the gym 3 times a week. Been doing this for a very, very long time. I know I have bored you enough already, but like it or not, I will be in touch again. Take care.

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I use Happy Buddha Hemp Coconut salve and Buddha Balm. Great products and great company. I am not associated with this company only a happy customer.

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P.S. These are Spagyric CBD products. Full Spectrum.

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@lrh

I too have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy and have tried numerous topicals. The only one I've ever found that helped me at all was a product by Avon called Foot Works. It is inexpensive and the smell reminds me of Vicks, but it seems to help me.

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Amazon has several different Foot Works products. Which is the one you find helpful for neuropathy? Thank you.

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@dance19021

Hi, I'm Joe and a first time contributor. At some point in time I will tell my Idiopathic PN story. Anything I relate are my personal experiences.For the moment I will address the use of topicals. There are many, but I am reluctant to say none have relieved the the numbness, which is the result of the very miniscule blood vessels in the feet losing their ability to pump blood in either direction. They eventually dry and die, thus denying the nerves the necessary nutrients to survive and in turn they are permanently damaged. Neither the vessels or nerves renew themselves. So we are left to our own devices to find relief. Much more on that at a later date. I am like a lot of you. We spend money with the hope that the many supplements and creams will help. It is all a come on, but we still try. If there is one cream or balm that might help, it would probably be rather high in cannabis content. Needless to say, I don't believe any such item is available on the internet. Maybe in states allowing the sale of marijuana. I presently have been using a top rated balm, ( by those who rate?) produced by Lazarus Naturals. It is one of the CBD products available. Does absolutely nothing and yet is highly rated to relieve PN symptoms. Because it has produced no relief for me doesn't mean you shouldn't try it or one of the other CBD products. Good luck and I will relate my PN story and what I do to alter it's progression, to maintain adequate balance and try walking like a healthy man. My regimen is lengthy and done religiously every day and throughout the course of every day. By the way, in addition to my home regimen, I do several resistant.exercises at the gym 3 times a week. Been doing this for a very, very long time. I know I have bored you enough already, but like it or not, I will be in touch again. Take care.

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Hi Joe @dance19021, Welcome to Connect. Thanks for sharing your experience using topicals. I think you made a very good point about what happens if you ignore the feet and the skin dries up denying the nerves even a chance of healing. It's one of the things I do religiously every night is to put a moisturizer lotion on both feet and calves before going to bed. I also wear some ankle socks since opening a vein in my ankle one night rubbing my feet together with a hangnail on my big toe. Had a fun ambulance ride to the ER when I woke up and made a trip to the bathroom and my wife found me trying to figure out where the blood was coming from. I used to use Magnesium lotion on my feet and legs but have tried several and now just use a good quality skin moisturizer.

There is another discussion you may wish to join if you want to share your neuropathy journey.
- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

Do you mind sharing how you found Connect, were you looking for answers to a specific question?

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@johnbishop Thank you for the reminder about moisturizing feet. I've been good about moisturizing thighs to provide some relief from meralgia paresthetica , and I'll usually spread some down on my calves, but I've been neglecting my feet...and they look like it 😉

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@dance19021

Hi, I'm Joe and a first time contributor. At some point in time I will tell my Idiopathic PN story. Anything I relate are my personal experiences.For the moment I will address the use of topicals. There are many, but I am reluctant to say none have relieved the the numbness, which is the result of the very miniscule blood vessels in the feet losing their ability to pump blood in either direction. They eventually dry and die, thus denying the nerves the necessary nutrients to survive and in turn they are permanently damaged. Neither the vessels or nerves renew themselves. So we are left to our own devices to find relief. Much more on that at a later date. I am like a lot of you. We spend money with the hope that the many supplements and creams will help. It is all a come on, but we still try. If there is one cream or balm that might help, it would probably be rather high in cannabis content. Needless to say, I don't believe any such item is available on the internet. Maybe in states allowing the sale of marijuana. I presently have been using a top rated balm, ( by those who rate?) produced by Lazarus Naturals. It is one of the CBD products available. Does absolutely nothing and yet is highly rated to relieve PN symptoms. Because it has produced no relief for me doesn't mean you shouldn't try it or one of the other CBD products. Good luck and I will relate my PN story and what I do to alter it's progression, to maintain adequate balance and try walking like a healthy man. My regimen is lengthy and done religiously every day and throughout the course of every day. By the way, in addition to my home regimen, I do several resistant.exercises at the gym 3 times a week. Been doing this for a very, very long time. I know I have bored you enough already, but like it or not, I will be in touch again. Take care.

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@dance19021 My order from the mj dispensery will be delivered tomorrow. I ordered a gel that will supposedly help the nerves in the area where you rub a bit of get, but then is absorbed into the nerve and throughout the body. I'm hoping this will indeed be a help for my poor feet and lower limbs, and to the fingers/hands/wrists and other areas. The dispensary consultants have been pretty helpful and up front with their recommendations. I think I've found the right way and the best place to buy the mj I need with good advice from knowledgeable consultants.
seems to work well and smoothly. so, let you know about the get and any other products I use.
blessings everyone. enjoy this lovely spring and just think.....very soon our lives will be full of full faces, smiles will show, we'll see expressions and lipstick will stay on and pretty faces will smile back at you. Love it! elizabeth

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Regarding foot lotions: As a diabetic, I was warned not to use lotions between my toes. Is that still the current thinking?

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