Diabetes Foot Care Research for Cheltenham, Cirencester & the South West
New research funded by us has revealed promising evidence that a compound found in chilli peppers could help treat diabetic foot complications, particularly nerve damage (neuropathy) that affects many people living with diabetes.
This breakthrough brings researchers closer to finding treatments that may not only reduce foot pain, but also repair damaged nerves, helping to lower the risk of foot ulcers, infections and amputations.
This research is highly relevant for people with diabetes living in Cheltenham, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Worcestershire, where diabetic foot complications remain a significant cause of hospital admissions.
Diabetes, Neuropathy and Foot Complications
People living with diabetes are at increased risk of peripheral neuropathy, a condition where high blood sugar levels damage nerves.
When neuropathy affects the feet, it can:
- Reduce sensation and feeling
- Cause severe or chronic pain
- Increase the risk of foot ulcers
- Lead to infection and, in severe cases, amputation
At present, treatments for diabetic neuropathy mainly focus on managing symptoms, rather than repairing nerve damage.
A Hot Topic in Pain Relief: Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the natural compound in chillies that gives them their heat. It has long been used in medicine to help reduce pain by blocking pain signals from nerves when applied to the skin.
Capsaicin is already used in:
- Creams
- High-strength skin patches
These treatments are currently available in specialist NHS pain and diabetes clinics for people with neuropathic pain.
However, until now, it was unclear whether capsaicin could do more than mask pain — such as repairing the damaged nerves themselves.
The Study: Capsaicin Patches and Nerve Healing
With our funding, researchers from Imperial College London and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals carried out a clinical study involving 75 people with diabetes and neuropathy.
The study examined the effects of a high-strength (8%) capsaicin patch, known as Qutenza, which is a licensed treatment for neuropathic pain.
How the Study Worked
- The capsaicin patch was applied to participants’ feet for 30 minutes
- Participants were followed for three months
- Researchers measured pain levels, nerve sensitivity and nerve structure
Participant Groups
- 50 participants had painful neuropathy
- 32 received the capsaicin patch
- 18 received standard care
- 25 participants had neuropathy without pain and were also treated with the capsaicin patch
Participants:
- Kept pain diaries
- Completed symptom questionnaires
- Had nerve sensitivity testing
- Provided small skin samples from their feet before and after treatment
What the Research Found
After three months, the results were encouraging:
- People treated with the capsaicin patch reported significantly less pain compared to those receiving standard care
- Skin samples showed new nerve growth in everyone treated with the capsaicin patch
- This suggests capsaicin may help repair and regrow damaged nerves, not just block pain signals
This is one of the first studies to show evidence that a treatment for diabetic neuropathy may reverse nerve damage.
What This Means for People With Diabetes
If future research confirms these findings, capsaicin patches could:
- Offer better pain relief for diabetic neuropathy
- Reduce the risk of foot ulcers and infections
- Help protect against serious foot complications and amputations
- Improve quality of life for people living with chronic foot pain
For people in Cheltenham, Cirencester and across the South West, this could mean greater access to effective treatments through local NHS diabetes and foot care services in the future.
The Future of Diabetic Foot Care
More research is still needed, including:
- Larger studies
- Longer follow-up periods
At present, capsaicin patches are only available through specialist clinics and are mainly prescribed for people with neuropathic pain.
However, this research could support wider use of capsaicin treatments to help both manage pain and repair nerve damage, potentially changing how diabetic foot complications are treated in the future.
If you would like to see a podiatrist and get some expert advice, contact the Head Clinician at the Bourton Podiatry one of the most respected Podiatrists in the Cotswolds area. Telephone: 01451 824301 or Website: https://bourtonpodiatry.com/contact/
courtesy of diabetes.org.uk.