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Remedies for Neuropathy

Neuropathy is nerve damage that occurs most frequently in the hands and feet, although it can also appear in the legs, arms and back. Neuropathy is marked by tingling in the affected area, as well as numbness, pain, changes in body temperature and slow-healing sores. Most medicines do not cure neuropathy but make the pain temporarily bearable.

  1. Household Remedies

    • Common ways to alleviate the pain of neuropathy can be found right in the medicine cabinet. Mild symptoms can be stemmed by simple pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

      Massaging an area frequently ends tingling sensations. Do this for several minutes, either by hand or with something a bit rougher, like a hairbrush, loofah sponge or washcloth.

      A vitamin B deficiency is a major cause of neuropathy. Two particular B vitamins, B1 and B12, help neurotransmitters function properly. Take a specific form of B1 called benfotiamine, rather than thiamine, because it prevents glucose from damaging nerves. Methyl B12 has been found to decrease and in some cases stop pain from neuropathy. These B vitamins are often sold in the same multivitamin at specialty shops.

      The best method for controlling neuropathy is to maintain normal blood-glucose levels. Even after the onset of neuropathy, normal blood-sugar numbers between 80 and 120mg/dL will prevent symptoms.

    Over-the-Counter Medications

    • Apply a lidocaine patch to the affected area. It acts as a local anesthesia with no side effects, unless the patch is not changed frequently enough. Change it at least every 12 hours, preferably every eight, or a rash can develop.

      Capsaicin topical gels stop neurotransmitters from signaling pain. Applied in a thin layer three or four times a day greatly reduces discomfort caused by moderate neuropathy. Do not apply near open wounds and avoid ingesting orally. If rubbing it on your hands for neuropathy, let sit for 30 minutes, then thoroughly scrub it off. Also, do not put heating pads over any area where the gel was applied, and do not use capsaicin if you are allergic to hot peppers.

    Prescribed Medications

    • Two types of prescription drugs developed for other conditions have proven effective in combating neuropathy. Anti-seizure medicines like Nuerontin, Lyrica and Tegretol, used to treat epilepsy, also reduce pain caused by severe neuropathy.

      Antidepressants like amitriptyline and nortriptyline reduce pain by interrupting the chemical means by which the brain and spinal chord receive pain signals. The anti-anxiety medication Cymbalta is also effective in preventing pain from neuropathy.

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