Desensitization of sensory afferents with topical capsaicin has been employed to treat a variety of neuropathic disorders in humans, however, few studies have been undertaken to systematically evaluate treatment parameters to determine the optimal dose and frequency of treatment needed to achieve and maintain desensitization. The effects of several treatment parameters, including dose, number of exposures, interval between exposures and duration of exposure, on the development, magnitude and duration of desensitization following local treatment with capsaicin and related compounds are described.