Currently, there is a growing interest in the use of topical agents for the treatment of pain; therefore, there is a need to validate the use of human experimental pain using topical analgesics. This study evaluated the effects of topical lidocaine on intradermal capsaicin induced pain and hyperalgesia. Thirteen subjects entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. A baseline quantitative neurosensory test (QST) was performed on the volar aspect of each forearm. A placebo patch and a lidocaine patch was applied to the volar aspect of each forearm. The arms were randomized to placebo and lidocaine patch. After four hours of application the right forearm patch was removed, QST was repeated, and capsaicin (10µl, 10 mg/ml) was injected intradermally at the site of application. Pain scores were measured at the time of injection and every 2.5 minutes for 10 minutes. Ten minutes after the capsaicin injection, the hyperalgesic area and flare response were mapped and QST was repeated. At the completion of the testing on the right forearm, the left forearm patch was removed and the procedures described for the right forearm were repeated for the left forearm. Prior to the capsaicin injection the lidocaine patch resulted in a significant increase in the cool and warm thresholds and a significant decrease in hot pain thresholds from baseline. There was no effect on cold pain thresholds. Although there was a trend for increase in touch and touch pain thresholds, it did not reach statistical significance. The lidocaine patch had no effect on the pain, flare or hyperalgesia, This study demonstrated differential effects of the lidocaine patch on skin sensation. Since there was a lowering of the hot pain thresholds, it is not surprising that lidocaine patch had no effect on intradermal capsaicin induced pain and hyperalgesia.