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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.
Hello madam, My mother who is 88 has had post herpetic neuralgic pains for about 8 years. The pains are intolerable along with rash at the lower back. She has been using strong pain killers from time to time. But as u know they all have side effects, so we decided to do away with painkillers. We are trying homeopathy now. She tried R 68, hypericum etc but had no relief at All. Shall appreciate your response. Thanks
On October of 2020, I developed shingles on the left side of my face from my eye lids back through my scalp. I did not experience alot of blistering except on my scalp, where I lost patches of hair. I caught it immediately and was put on an anti viral. Following that I began taking gabapentin 1800 mg per day. I slowly hit a plato. Almost 4 years later, I am still experiencing severe burning on my forehead and an extreme itching of my eyelid and eyebrow. I also have constant headaches and trouble sleeping. Can you suggest anything that might help?
I had herpes zoster more than 6-7 months back
The eruptions were healed within 3 weeks
But for the last 2 months the itching and rashes come randomly on stomach chest and arms with a lot of restlesssness and pain
What to do
Ive had PHN since January 22, and have been suffering with this condition since that time. The GP informed to carry on with Pregablin, and the pain would go away in 6 months. This did not happen, I stopped Pregablin, and resorted to Therapists in which I had 2 working at various levels with head massage, and trying to trick the complain within the soles of the feet. Neither made little difference to my discomfort.
I have of recent with the NHS had the ‘supra orbital nerve block ‘ on 5th March 24. This has mimicked the nerve pain, but has not taken it away. The injection was done at the tip of forehead above the eyebrow, this was swollen for a couple of days. but there is now slight dent in the side of forehead and that eyebrow is not aligned with the other eyebrow.
If you can help. advice it would be very helpful to me.
Thank you
My mom had shingles Jan 31st. She was prescribed an antiviral. She never had much skin pain or itching despite having the blisters. She is still having severe internal abdominal pain along her Caesarian scars, horizontal. What would you recommend.? She is 80 years old and in agony.
i have suffered from herpes zoster in year of 2020 & cured by allopathy treatment but now i have been suffering from post herpes zoster pain at right abdomen & also accute panic disorder get relief by taking alzolam .5, please help me in a possible way,thanks
Shingles for over 3 years now. Severe PHN with significant weakness in one leg & both arms. Nerve pain is paralyzing. It seems the virus has gotten deep in to the sciatic nerve and a couple of cervical nerves. Please help. I’m having trouble doing anything, especially with walking.
My friend has had post shingles related neuropathic pain for nearly a year. Prescibed pain killers help a little but most recently three days ago she was prescribed a cortezone shot which hasn’t helped so far. Doctors say this shot takes about 5 days to work and is likely to work for only 30 to 90 days. Her pain is in the middle of her lower back and is a sharp shooting pain throughout her day and nights. What homeopathic treatment can help to heal this excruciating pain? And could you recommend a homeopathic Dr. in Seattle area?
Hello, Dr. Sharma. 7 weeks ago, I awoke with pain from my scapula on the left side to my fingers eventually. I have gone to many alternate healers. After a few days after onset, i found out I had shingles, a few on the back and mostly a line under my breasts, on both sides. The shignles seem to be gone, yet the left arm pain continues, ranging fro a 2 to a 7,8. The pain is mostly around the areas around the elbow, upper arm, lower arm , sometime top of arm sometime back. I tat times affect my thinking due to the continual pain. My balance is sometime affected and my hands shake. i have used homeopathy for about 7 years. I really need something to work. I have tried arnica 1mM hypericum 1M, rhus tox, and some others. I have been under ag reat deal of stress for over a year….. my son’s illness, moving with him to another state, Covid and long term Covid. Mentaly and emotionally I am worn down. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thank you so much.
Dear Dr Sharma
I have post herpetic neuralgia on my right eye lid and above my eye brow and hair line. I have numbness, itching and tingling sensations as well as burning. Can you suggest a homeopathic redemy to help me with this.
Kind regards Marianna
I am suffering from PHN since lost one year painful 1 & 2 thoracic intercostal I’m dr Saroop Bathija from Bhopal M . P
My name is Mohammed Hussain Taj
I am live in kuwait
My age is 57 years old
I am suffering herpes zoster
I take medicines zovirax 800 Mg three time in day.
Also aply zovirax cream 5% in my rash.
This time I am OK but we have pain and redness in body area where we suffering herpes zoster
I see your video in youtube channel
I want take arsenic album 30 CH
How many drop in a day
How many day I can take plz reply
This herbal Doctor has a new development on herpes virus cure through herbal means…
certainly the best online…
Thank you!! Very well!
This herbal remedy is Very good for Herpes Cure –
Excellent 5/5.
contact ((Robin sonbu ckler11)) gmail [.com]………………………………………………………
This herbal Doctor has a new development on herpes virus cure through herbal means…
certainly the best online…
Thank you!! Very well!
This herbal remedy is Very good for Herpes Cure –
Excellent 5/5.
contact ((Robin sonbu ckler11)) [@] gmail [.com]………………………………………………………
Dear Dr. Sharma, My wife, Maharukh Kohiar is suffering from post herpatic pain. since more than a month. The herpes has long gone but the post herpetic pain is unbearable when it strikes. It is not continuous but comes suddenly. She is a cancer survivor who has undergone 6 cycles of Chemotherapy. Please guide us as to which medicine she needs to take and the dosage.
Thanks & regards.
I am suffering from PHN since August, 2021 when I had a severe case of shingles from my left breast bone wrapping around to me spine and on the underside of my left upper arm. The rash went away within 3 months of antibiotics but the nerve pain continues. I was using 350 mg of gabapentin twice a-day and now only 50 mg twice a day. I would like to get off the gabapentin and am wondering what you would suggest
Dr Sharma
My 84 yr old mother is suffering with PHN and nothing is working to relieve her. She had chronic from august 2022 through October/November and has been left completely debilitated since then with PHN. She has tried all the recommended prescription drugs which gave he terrible side effects. She is now trying acupuncture and we are desperate for any kind of relief.
Can you help/advise?
Dr Sharma
My 84 yr old mother is suffering with PHN and nothing is working to relieve her. She had chronic from august 2022 through October/November and has been left completely debilitated since then with PHN. She has tried all the recommended prescription drugs which gave he terrible side effects. She is now trying acupuncture and we are desperate for any kind of relief.
Can you help/advise?
Melanie Bowen
How do I find these remedies? Do any cause any issue with the liver, as I have to be careful as I am a transplant patient.
My son has PHN of the face and ear due to shingles and has suffered with intense pain for three years. He has tried many different protocols both natural and medical to no avail. He is unable to work due to the severity of the pain and the exhaustion it brings. He is only 42 with a family but does not participate in a lot of their activities due to an inability to cope with the constant pain of the face and ear. He is currently on Tramadol which gives him some relief but is reluctant to try anything else as he has given up hope that anything will help. Gabapentin did not work for him. Will the Mezereum be just another false hope.