Chili peppers treat shingles infections

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Anyone who has ever suffered from shingles is familiar with the excruciating burning sensation the viral infection causes.

A million Americans develop shingles every year.

Now, fighting fire with fire, a new treatment is Food and Drug Administration-approved with its active ingredient coming from chili peppers.

Larry Dollgener has been suffering from shingles for a year.

"It really affects my lifestyle," he said." It's a numbness and burniing sensation, a real bad burn."

He is being treated at the Balcones Pain Consultants, which uses the newly approved Qutenza patch. Its active iingredient comes from chili peppers.

"This is toxic," said Dr. Matt McCarty. "If you were to breathe it in or get it on your eyes, it would be devastating in terms of burning, so a lot of caution has to be used."

Most shingles sufferers had chickenpox years before. The virus remained dormant in the spine until one day it invaded the body, enflaming neurons or nerve endings under the skin. Previous treatments have been spotty.

About 8 percent of the Qutenza patch solution is the essence of chili peppers. It burns through the skin and deactivates the neurons. A one-hour application can bring three months of relief, and it also has long-term benefits.

"What we're seeing is on subsequent applications patients go further and further out, so we're especially encouraged," said McCarty.

Dollgener is hoping for relief.

"If not, I guess just put some tortillas on me," he joked.