Herpes Zoster
Shingles also known as herpes zoster is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area.
Typically the rash occurs in a single, wide stripe on either sides of body. Two to four days before the rash occurs there may be tingling or local pain in the area. Rash usually gets healed within 2 to 4 weeks.
Some people develop ongoing nerve pain which lasts for months or years a condition called as post herpetic neuralgia.
Symptoms
- Painful rash that may appear as a stripe of blisters.
- Pain can persist even after the rash is gone—a constant dull, burning, or gnawing pain that comes and goes.
- Fluid-filled blisters that develop as part of the rash.
- Fever and chills, fatigue, headache.
Medicines
Homoeopathic Medicines
Arsenic Album :
Person feels chilly anxious restless and exhausted during fever and the burning pain of the eruptions is relieved by heat. Discomfort is often worse around midnight.
Apis Mellifica :
Swollen tender eruptions with burning, stinging pain, and itching. Symptoms aggravated by warmth and relieved by cold. The patient may be irritable and very sensitive to touch.
Mezereum :
Intense burning followed by bright red eruptions that itch intolerably. The local pain of the eruptions is worse from heat and relieved by cold applications.
Ranunculus Bulbosus :
Indicated for intensely itching shingles on ribcage which are also very sore and worse from contact with clothing or any kind of touch. Blisters may look bluish.
Rhus Tox :
Rash begins with small blisters, is red and intensely itchy, and is relieved by hot baths or hot wet compresses. restlessness makes the person want to pace the room or constantly move around.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Herpes zoster, or shingles, is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus after a previous chickenpox infection. It usually causes a painful blistering rash on one side of the body.
Common symptoms include pain, burning, tingling or itching followed by a blistering rash. Headache and general discomfort may occur before the rash appears.
Homeopathic care may be considered as complementary care, but it should not replace or delay antiviral treatment prescribed for an active shingles infection.
Medical advice should be sought as soon as possible. Antiviral medicines are most effective when started early, particularly within about 72 hours of symptom or rash onset.
Post-herpetic neuralgia is persistent nerve pain in an area previously affected by shingles. It can continue after the rash has healed and may last for months or longer.
Shingles itself is not passed from one person to another, but the virus can spread from active blisters and cause chickenpox in someone who is not immune.
Shingles affecting the eye, forehead or eyelid needs prompt medical assessment because eye involvement can cause complications, including vision loss.
Consultations are available at Dr. Tathed’s Homeopathy Clinic in Chinchwad, Viman Nagar and Naupada, Thane West.
