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Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of Herpes Zoster also known as Shingles. Herpes Zoster is a viral infection caused by reactivation of Varicella Zoster virus (it is the same virus that causes Chicken Pox). Herpes Zoster is characterized by painful rash or blisters (fluid-filled bumps) on skin. The rash will only be on one side of the body, either right or left, in a particular area in a band like pattern. If the pain of Herpes Zoster continues for more than three months in the affected skin areas after the skin rash has healed, then it is known as Post Herpetic Neuralgia. In one out of five people who get infected by Herpes Zoster, the person will have nerve pain following the healing of rash. The pain may vary from discomfort to severe, stabbing pain. Along with pain, burning, increased sensitivity, weakness of affected skin area may also arise. The pain may continue for weeks, months or even a year after the rash has healed. Homeopathic medicines for Post Herpetic Neuralgia are deep acting remedies that can help resolve the problem. 
Homeopathic Treatment Of Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
Homeopathy is highly effective in treating neuralgic complaints i.e. nerve pain. As a first step, Homeopathy controls the intensity and frequency of pain in Post Herpetic Neuralgia. Then the medicines work to remove the chronic pain. The burning sensation, hypersensitivity associated with this condition also heals with the administration of homeopathic remedies. Apart from PHN, other kind of nerve pains that find proper treatment in homeopathy include sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, and intercostal neuralgia.
Top Homeopathic Medicines For Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
The top most recommended homeopathic medicines to treat PHN are Mezereum, Ranunculus Bulbosus and Rhus Tox.
1. Mezereum – For Postherpetic Neuralgia With Intense Burning
Mezereum is rated among the best medicines for Post Herpetic Neuralgia. It is the best-suited prescription when PHN pains are violent and are attended with marked burning sensation. Mezereum is the most helpful among medicines for PHN in relieving post-herpetic pains on the face. The pain in the face may get worse while eating. Warmth brings relief. Mezereum also helps during active Herpes Zoster when eruptions arise on the skin. The key symptoms to look out for before prescribing Mezereum during Herpes Zoster infection are violently itching vesicles with shining red areola and intense burning.
2. Ranunculus Bulbosus – For Pains Coming In Paroxysms (sudden attack)
Another prominently indicated medicine for PHN is Ranunculus Bulbosus. It is indicated for sharp, shooting PHN pains that come in paroxysms. It is also one of the top listed medicines for intercostal neuralgia following herpetic infection. Ranunculus Bulbosus is also indicated for Herpes Zoster when the vesicle eruptions are bluish in color. The eruptions are attended with itching and burning symptoms which worsen on contact.
3. Rhus Tox – One Of The Best Medicines For Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rhus Tox also figures on the list of highly effective medicines for Post Herpetic Neuralgia. It is one of the best medicines for PHN where the pains are attended with marked restlessness. The skin is sensitive to cold air in such cases. In Herpes Zoster, Rhus Tox is the most preferred among medicines when the vesicles are yellowish with itching and stinging.
4. Arsenic Album – To Manage Burning Sort of Nerve Pains
Arsenic Album is a highly recommended medicine when a person complains of burning pains after healing of Herpes Zoster eruptions. The burning pain is very severe at night. Arsenic Album is also given to manage itching on the skin. Restlessness can attend these symptoms. It is also indicated to manage active Herpes Zoster outbreak when marked burning pain is felt in the eruptions. These eruptions might be covered with scales like fish scales in most of the cases.
5. Dolichos – To Manage Skin Itching Without Any Rash Or Eruptions
Dolichos is yet another natural remedy to relieve Post Herpetic Nerve pains. Besides relieving pains, it can also be used to manage skin itching occurring without any rash or eruptions. For Herpes Zoster, this medicine is mostly indicated when eruptions begin in the armpit, especially on the left side that spreads to the sternum (bone in middle of chest) and to the spine. It is accompanied by smarting and burning sort of pain.
6. Merc Sol – For Burning Sensation On Touching Affected Skin Area
Merc Sol is useful for burning sensation felt on the affected skin when it is touched. In case of herpes eruptions, it can be given when eruptions tend to be filled with pus with intense itching and burning. The eruptions may spread from the back to the abdomen.
7. Zincum Met – Great Nerve Remedy To Manage Nerve Pain
Zincum Met is a magnificent medicine to manage nerve pains related to various problems. In case of Herpes Zoster, it is usually used when lancinating pains in eruptions occur. Following healing of eruptions, the nerve pain continues. The eruptions may show tendency to suppurate (pus formation).
What Are The Symptoms Of PHN?
The symptoms appear on the skin area affected with Herpes Zoster eruptions and are usually one sided.
1. Pain after rash of Herpes Zoster has healed – Pain remains for 3 months or more. In some cases, it may last for one year or more. Pain can be aching, sharp, stabbing, throbbing, electric shock like, or burning on nature. The pain can be continuous or intermittent. Pain may get worse at night or from cold or hot temperature.
2. Even slightest touch on the affected area is painful, this area may also be sensitive to cold air.
3. Numbness, tingling or itching on affected skin region, though it is not very common
4. Very rarely muscle weakness and tremors occur, if the affected nerve involved controls muscle movement too
5. Scarring on skin on affected area may be seen
What Are The Causes Behind Post Herpetic Neuralgia?
Post Herpetic Neuralgia, as mentioned in the beginning, is a complication of Herpes Zoster. Herpes Zoster is a viral disease leading to painful skin eruptions caused by varicella-zoster virus. Varicella Zoster virus is the virus that causes chicken pox when a person gets infected with this virus initially for the first time. Though the person recovers from chicken pox within weeks, the virus remains in the nerve cells in an inactive state. This virus can reactivate anytime it finds a suitable environment like low immunity, some sort of medicines, etc. When the dormant virus gets reactivated, it leads to Herpes Zoster or Shingles with painful skin eruptions. The Herpes Zoster rash resolves within two to four weeks’ time. In some cases, even after the skin eruptions completely resolve, the pain continues for months or years together. This nerve pain that persists for more than three months is referred to as Post Herpetic Neuralgia. The PHN results from damage to nerve fibres caused by Herpes Zoster virus. As a result of damaged nerve fibers, the message of transmission from skin to brain cannot be passed normally. This nerve gets muddled resulting in the transmission of random pain signals to brain when pain is burning excruciating type.
Risk Factors
Certain factors increase the risk of PHN as follows:
1. Old age: The risk of PHN increases with age. Those above 50 yrs of age are at risk, PHN is rare under 40 yrs of age.
2. Herpes Zoster on the face or trunk (body part except head, neck and limbs)
3. Weak immune system: Immnuity of the body may be compromised due to certain medical conditions like cancer, HIV or certain medications like steroids, chemotherapy, immunosuppressant medicines.
4. If intensity of skin rash was highly intense
5. Women are more at risk than men
6. Diabetes
Complications
The long lasting pain can lead to tiredness, problems with sleep, poor appetite, depression and poor concentration.
Diagnosis
It can be diagnosed based on the set of symptoms provided by the sufferer along with a history of Shingles. No tests are required in most cases to confirm diagnosis of Post Herpetic Neuralgia.
I am dealing with postherpetic neuralgia and have recieved 3 vitamin c IVs. Still have pain though not as
severe. Any other suggestions??
dr sharmaji, I AM PRASAD FROM HYDERABAD, I WAS ATTACKED BY HERPESZOSTER ON 29/03/2017 AND I GOT CORRECT DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT ON 01.042017 THE AREA IS RIGHT SIDE OFCHEEK ie BELOW EAR AND BACK SIDE OF HEAD AND RT EAR ALSO EFFECTED.
BUT ON 15/04/2017 NERVES PROBLEM STARTED DOCTER TOLD PHN AND TREATED WITH
GABAPENTIN FOR 2 MONTHS .AS THE PROBLEM IS NOT CURED AND OTHER SIDE EFFECTS CONSTIPATION AROSE, ISHIFTED TO HOMEOPATHY, AND USING HYPERCUMANDRUSTOX AS ADVISED BY OUR HOMEO DOCTOR, BUT SOME TIMES THE ITCHING IS ERUPTING ON THE BACKSIDE HEAD PL SUGGEST ME RIGHT COURSE OF ACTION.
Respected Doctor ji
I am suffering from post herpetic ITCHING of the scalp., even after one year after herpes zoster of the right neck. Please suggest homeo remedy. I have tried topical steroids and moisturising hair oils without relief.
Dr. Sharma, I had this attack of herpes in March 1st week. After it subsided and after the course of prescription of our family doctor (allopathic), I tried another homoeopath doctor , incidentally, also Dr. Sharma, in phase 2, Mohali, it hardly did anything so I left it and personally tried Mezereum 30 and Cantharis 30; but the ‘pain’ continues. I have given up hope by now.
Do you think anything still can be done now? Do I come under Ranunculus as you have suggested?
I am Vijay Lazarus, my age is 77. I am mostly on homeopathy since 1967. Being an enlarged prostate person I am on Sabal Serulata regularly.
Sincerely, Vijay Lazarus
i was sufering from herpes zoster in march 2017 and taken treatment and recovered singles . but after four month i was suferin from nerve pain due to demag c aused by varicellazoster virus pl advice me
Sir,
I’ve been suffering frm trigeminal neuralgia after occular herpes since Dec.2015.Severe attacks stopped after 5days as i was on allopathic treatment frm neurologist since day one.Till date i am on medication but suffer frm intense pain in eye and forehead and head and deteriorating vision with extreme dryness in the effected eye .Could you plz help me. Female .age 57 yrs.
Dear sir , my father had herpes on face for six month but still it is very itching on left side of face , burning and paining , ( Chatkan jaise sui chubthi hai) pls advise us best medicine.
With regards
zahid khan
9359904771
zahidnihon@yahoo.in
Dear Sir,
My sister who will be eighty this year,had a very mild case if shingles many years ago.
In her 40’s she started having awful severe pain in the nerve around her shoulder blade in her back
Her Gp said it was post heretic pain.
Sge has had it sporadically ever since,usually when she has had a chest infection but sometimes
It just comes on very quickly
She takes Gabapentin in large amounts,the pain is almost intolerable
The Gp says there is nothing else better to ease the pain
It makes her feel awful and effects her brain and mood when she takes is
We are just desperate to find anything that may help without all the side effects of this medication
Even though it helps a lot. Thankyou for looking at this . Carol Reid
I had shingles on my left side forehead in august and now have posttherpetic neuralgia itch and moderate pain on the left side of my face and around my left eye area. This is being treated with Gabapentin 600 mg 3X daily. which does not seem to be helpful. I would appreciate an helpful advice for my problem
Sir, my wife age 60 years developed herpes on her left forehead and eye. Though there was a very little pain and itching doctor prescribed Valcivir 1000 thrice a day for 7 days which she took. In the beginning of treatment I gave her Rhustox 1M and Aresenic Album 1 M (only single dose). Now the eruption has dried out but scars are there. Now she is complaint of stiffness in knees and slight sudden pain in left side of forehead. Please suggest some medicine so that she not develop post herpetic nearalgia
Dear Dr. Sharma
I developed shingles shortly after I suffered a very bad reaction to chemo therapy. My immune system was severely compromised. This was in April of 2011. I am doing better but I am still on 300 mg daily of Lyrica and 10 mg of oxycodone. I stop taking oxycodone 6 moths ago. I want to get off of the medicines. My pains average pain levels between 3 and 8. No more pains of 8, 9 or 10. I am ready for something that does not have side affects like Lyrica. Can you help?
Thank you
Mitch
Dear Dr Sharma !
My suffered from herpes on her left face covering an area of left eye fore head and the head in mid November 2014 followed by nuralgia which continues even today. She gets on and off rashes. Itching clubbed with swelling which aggravates with exposer to heat and sun light. So far she had been on Pregabalin75 and Mecobain 1500. She is also suffering from Grade 1 spondylisesof L5 over S1 and degenerating changes with disc bulges L2-3,L3-4,&L4-5. Plz advise.
hi ,
I have post herpetic neuralgia , it been 2 months and I am still suffering from so much pain stabbing , burning , heaviness in my left arm What can you suggest to get rid of this pains.
Thank you.
Dear Dr Sharma,
Herpes zoster attacked right side of my face in January last. It started with toothache then redness and sores in the mouth on right upper part. It was wrongly diagnosed as mouth ulcers, only when the sores started to appear on the right part of the face it was declared herpes zoster and treated. It is over a year I am suffering with postherpetic neuralgia. It is now confine to my right nostril, right part of lips eye socket and right upper part of the the mouth. Unbearable burning excruciating pain and redness. My hair are falling by now reduced to one-fourth of what these were a year ago. Could you please let me know there is any treatment for this in homeopathy? I will be most grateful. I am running seventy. Still fully active mentally and physically, teaching as Professor Emeritus and busy in research and writing as much possible in spite of the pain. I stop taking all medicines for some time after realizing these are adversely affecting my memory and retention power.
Hi Dr. Sharma,
On January 13, 2017 I went to a doctor reason of I have a lot sensitivity on the skin of the right side of my forehead from the eye brown to the forehead. Very sensitive and painful when touch it with my fingers and with cold air wind. Since that day I was taking 4 pills of 400 mg of Acyclovir per day until today (19 days) and didn’t help me at all, my doctor says that there is not a cure for it and prescribed narcotic pain pills that I will not take at all. So I believe that the homeopathic medicine can help me.
My doctor said that I got shingles without eruption and blisters. My skin remain normal, no rush, no itching, no burning sensation only skin very sensitive when is touched like a sharp nerve pain and sensitive with cold air wind.
I will appreciate your advise and your help. Thank you.
Rosie
Today is 35th day of Herpes Zoster. Things have dried up but pain is not going. Sometimes I get burning sensation also. My age is 75 yrs (M) Kindly advise me suitably.
I am helpless. My right side of pennies is going to loose nerves and looking zigzag. It is also painful and bent that side all time specially at the time of erection. As per physician my USG report of my pennies and pelvis is normal. I am 37 years old.I have not any blood pressure and sugar also.
DEAR DR.SHARMA,I AM HAVING POSTHERPETIC NEUROGIA IN THE LOWER ORTION OF MY LEFT LEG RIGHT UP TO FEET AND TOES AFTER SUFFERING FROM HERPES ZOSTER FROM 11-15 NOVEMBER. FOR THIS I TOOK ACIVIR 800 FOR 5 TIMES A DAY FOR 7 DAYS. THOUGH THE HERPES ZOSTER HAS GONE, I AM HAVING VERY IRRITATING ELECTRIC SHOCK LIKE PAIN, BURNING PAIN, STINGING PAIN, TINGLING AND PRICKING SENSATION IN MY LEFT LEG PARTICULARLY BELOW KNEE RIGHT UP TO FEET TOES AND FINGERS AND BELOW THE FEET CONSTANTLY PARTICULARLY IN NIGHT TIME IN BED. I AM 59 YEARS OLD MALE WITH SOUND HEALTH HAVING PROBLEM WITH DISCS BULGING, IN L4 AND L5. PLEASE HELP ME. THANKS, PROF.(DR.)K.N.JENA
Sir,
I was exposed with HSV2 over my genital in Dec.2011 and after it took homeopathic treatment herpes was cured yet now getting pain, burning, etching and symptoms of urge of frequent urine in my urinal on and off.
Every time took test with Lab for HSV2 igg and igm are negative now please advise which homeopathic medicine could be curable for me ,I am very sad and could not give time to my job owing to this issue,please help me out.
I contracted shingles around the left hand side of the waist in August 2016. The shingles healed in 2 1/2 weeks with medicine but then came the postherpectic neuralgia. The usual symptons followed …burning , itching , sharp pains, electric shock like pain and dull pain.It is 24/7, the rash has not fully gone but has diminished over time. I have tried acupuncture and various tintures.
I have severe bouts of sciatica down my left leg. All this is extremely depressing , further enhanced by lack of sleep.
Are there any natural remedies to reduce the nerve pain? I am 62 year old male with a poor immune system, having overcome a long battle with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma
DEAR DR.SHARMA,I AM HAVING POSTHERPETIC NEUROGIA IN THE LOWER ORTION OF MY LEFT LEG RIGHT UP TO FEET AND TOES AFTER SUFFERING FROM HERPES ZOSTER FROM 11-15 NOVEMBER. FOR THIS I TOOK ACIVIR 800 FOR 5 TIMES A DAY FOR 7 DAYS. THOUGH THE HERPES ZOSTER HAS GONE, I AM HAVING VERY IRRITATING ELECTRIC SHOCK LIKE PAIN, BURNING PAIN, STINGING PAIN, TINGLING AND PRICKING SENSATION IN MY LEFT LEG PARTICULARLY BELOW KNEE RIGHT UP TO FEET TOES AND FINGERS AND BELOW THE FEET CONSTANTLY PARTICULARLY IN NIGHT TIME IN BED. I AM 58 YEARS OLD MALE WITH SOUND HEALTH
The disease commenced with reddish rashes and blisters left armpit.Alot of homeopathic,alopathic medicines were used for treatment but all invain.It converted into PHN .About 2-3 years have passed Now sever pain,tingling burning causing great discomfort .Please suggest a suitable medicine.
Hello Dr Sharma, I have shingles affecting right side of chest and traveling under the armpit across right breast to breastbone. Developed after spinal injury. Pain worse at night and after activities, less during day and with application of heat. Little sleep. Little to no itching present. Vesicles are yellowish, sensitive to cold. The pain runs the whole range of shooting, stabbing, burning, and followed by spasms. Making me restless. Which of the remedies most nearly fits my symptoms?
Sir Good Evening, My Son was Suffering of Epilepsy last Six Years and medication under NIMHANS bangalore but not stop his attack kindly sujjest me can you any best treatment in this regards.
Regards.
Subhendu Lahiri, Guwahati
15 days ago, developed herpies from mid of the head to left shoulder via neck. cured in 7 days but itching persists. Earlier pain on touch was also there but it is getting relief day to day. Due to itching , sleep is disturbed. Face is not affected but while rub the itching area it pains. while shaving pain was on face but gradually getting relief.