Capsinol nasal spray with capsaicin for the treatment of non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis
I've suffered from vasomotor rhinitis for a long time, and my main problem is nighttime nasal congestion, but I've never suffered from rhinorrhea.
I've used many nasal sprays without success, and recently I heard about the benefits of capsaicin (the active ingredient in chili pepper) because it desensitizes the nerve receptors in the mucosa. I don't live in the Netherlands, where outpatient capsaicin treatment is available, so I can only purchase Capsinol nasal spray (which, however, has a lower capsaicin content than the one used in outpatient treatment).
Capsinol is sold in three formulations (Mild, Original Formula, and Extra Strong), and I decided to try the Original Formula.
I've read in reviews that some users have experienced real benefits, while others have not. The burning sensation is a (temporary) side effect, confirmed by everyone.
I started the treatment a few days ago, but surprisingly, I haven't had any burning sensation. I also haven't seen any improvement in my nighttime nasal congestion. This could be because my nasal congestion is very severe and the capsaicin can't reach the nerve receptors. To solve this problem, yesterday I used a hypertonic solution (combined with hyaluronic acid) 30 minutes before my last daily use of Capsinol (the evening before bed), and I experienced burning and slight tearing. Perhaps this means the capsaicin is now able to act on the nasal mucosa.
The manual states, "Spray 2 to 4 times in each nostril, up to 5 times per day, evenly spaced throughout the day. You will usually notice an effect within 2 to 12 minutes. Many users notice a difference from the first use. For some, it takes up to 2 weeks of consistent daily use before they experience the full effect."
So before concluding that Capsinol isn't right for me, I still have to wait, and I could also try the Extra Strength version.
I'd like to hear comments from other users who have used Capsinol for non-allergic rhinitis, including information on the duration of treatment (and any periodic cycles), dosage, version used, presence of burning sensation, combination with a hypertonic solution, etc.