Shingles is a viral disease characterized by a very painful skin rash which usually erupts in the form of cluster blisters on the body. It is also known as Herpes Zoster. The outbreak of shingles presents itself in the form of a cluster of fluid-filled blisters. The hallmark of shingles is that it affects only one side of the body. The blisters are located as band or strip on one side of the chest and do not cross the midline. Other locations include one side of the forehead or eye. Many people develop only one episode of shingles in their life, but some people can have recurrent episodes depending upon their immunity. The causative agent of Shingles is VZV (Varicella Zoster Virus). The reactivation of VZV causes shingles, and it is the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella). Only those who ever had chickenpox can develop shingles later in their life. The first exposure to VZV that most commonly occurs in childhood or adolescent leads to chickenpox. After chickenpox resolves in a person, the virus remains dormant in some nerve cells of the spine of our body. When the VZV is in an inactive state in our body, it shows no symptoms. In some people, the virus can get reactivated again due to some factors and travel along the nerve pathway. It then reaches the skin of the particular area supplied by that nerve and can cause shingles (painful blisters).

Homeopathy is the best alternative treatment mode to treat shingles / herpes zoster in a gentle, yet effective manner. Homeopathy treats shingles magnificently and also reduces the chances of recurrence of the disease. Homeopathy aims to fight viral infection causing shingles to aid symptom relief and complete recovery gradually. With administration of well-selected homeopathic medicines according to characteristic symptoms of the affected person, great results may be seen. Timely treatment with homeopathy also reduces the chances of complications to a great extent. There is no cure for shingles in the conventional system of medicine; medications are aimed to reduce the duration of shingles episode and to minimize the intensity of pain. Some commonly used medicines in such mode include antivirals, analgesics (pain medications), and corticosteroids. All these can have side effects. On the other hand, the homeopathic medicines have no side effects at all.

Homeopathic medicines boost self – healing mechanism

To promote complete recovery in shingles, homeopathic remedies fight with the root cause which is a viral infection. Homeopathic remedies help boost immunity to reduce the severity of the symptoms initially and gradually give complete recovery. This way it leads to natural healing in a very gentle, harmless way.

Homeopathy leads to cure rather than suppression

In homeopathic treatment of shingles, medicines work to clear the infection from its roots rather than suppressing it. This yields long-term results rather than just temporary relief. This is achieved with oral medicines taken through the mouth that works on the internal body and not just skin surface. This heals the complaint inside out for remarkable recovery.

Homeopathy is effective for post-herpetic neuralgia too

Homeopathy also works very well for post-herpetic neuralgia cases. Homeopathy can naturally help to reduce the intensity of the pain. With time, homeopathic medicines help to get rid of this pain entirely without making the person dependent upon them.

Homeopathy has no side effects

One can easily rely on use of homeopathic medicines as these have no side effects because of their natural origin. These medicines always work to treat health issues without causing any harm.

Top 5 Homeopathic Medicines for Shingles

The 5 most prominently indicated homeopathic medicines for managing shingles are Rhus Tox, Ranunculus Bulbosus, Mezereum, Natrum Mur and Merc Sol.

1. Rhus Tox – For Shingles With Itching And Burning

Rhus Tox is very useful in Herpes Zoster with intense itching in the affected skin area. There is also an attending burning sensation. It is also a top medicine for managing post herpetic neuralgia with nerve pains and burning after herpes zoster.

When to use Rhus Tox?

This medicine works wonderfully to manage shingles with marked itching and burning in the rash.

How to use Rhus Tox?

Among its various potencies, it is best to begin with 30C potency once or twice a day.

2. Ranunculus Bulbosus – For Shingles With Bluish Blackish Vesicles

Ranunculus Bulbosus is a principle medicine for treating herpes zoster with bluish-blackish colored vesicles. The blisters are filled with fluid that have a burning sensation. Itching and burning gets worse from touch. It is also well indicated to manage sharp stitching pain that follows herpes affecting intercostal nerves

When to use Ranunculus Bulbosus?

This medicine suits well  cases with formation of bluish-black vesicles with itching and burning worse from touch.

How to use Ranunculus Bulbosus?

One may take this medicine once a day in 30C power.

3. Mezereum – For Shingles with Severe Nerve Pain

Mezereum is the most prominent medicine to help cases of shingles with marked nerve pain. The eruptions are covered with brownish scabs. There is itching in the eruptions. On scratching, burning sensation is felt on the affected skin area. Besides,  it is effective to manage burning pain after the rash has healed fully.

When to use Mezereum?

Mezereum should be selected to manage shingles with marked nerve pain in eruptions.

How to use Mezereum?

It is advised to use Mezereum 30C once a day.

4. Natrum Mur – For Shingles With Blisters Leaving Rough Scaly Skin

Natrum Mur offers effective treatment for shingles when blisters with watery contents burst and leave rough, scaly / flaky skin. Blisters form on the burning spots on the skin. Its use is also preferred for crusty, dry eruptions forming in bends of the limbs and margins of the scalp.

When to use Natrum Mur?

This medicine should be considered to manage herpes zoster where blisters develop on the skin preceded by a burning sensation and on bursting leaves scaly, rough skin.

How to use Natrum Mur?

It is best to take this medicine in 6X potency, that can be administered twice or thrice a day.

5. Merc Sol – For Rash Starting From Lower Back, Going  To Navel Encircling The Body

Merc Sol is a suitable medicine for shingles when the rash begins from the lower back that extends to the navel and encircles the body. There are blisters that ooze watery discharge when scratched. Burning like fire is felt in eruptions from time to time. There is also a tendency of pus formation in the eruptions. Excessive itching also occurs in the eruptions.

When to use Merc Sol?

The key indication for using this medicine in shingles is skin rash starting from lower back then going to navel encircling the body.

How to use Merc Sol?

This medicine can be used in both low and high potencies. In most cases, 30C potency is selected to start with the treatment once a day.

Contributing Factors that Lead to Shingles

Stress
Emotional or psychological stress makes a person more prone to develop shingles since chronic or intense stress weakens our immune system.

Increasing Age
Shingles most commonly occur after 50 years of age. The risk of having shingles increases with age. It is rarely seen in children, but older people are more prone to develop it due to compromised immunity.

Impaired Immune System
Shingles mostly develops in people with a weak immune system. Certain diseases like HIV/AIDS, cancer, a long history of medicines intake, long-term use of steroids or immunosuppressive drugs, autoimmune disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases) make a person more prone to develop shingles.

Shingles – Signs and Symptoms

Early symptoms: The initial symptoms of shingles before the rash develops include fever and feeling of weakness. There may be a feeling of pain, burning and tingling sensation over the affected area.

Skin Rash: Skin rash in shingles appears as pink or red blotchy patches which appear in the form of a band over one side of the trunk (the most common site) along the nerve pathway. The person can also feel shooting type of pain in the area of the rash. At this stage, shingles are not contagious.

Blisters: Blisters are a cluster of fluid-filled eruptions that appear after the rash. They appear as a band over one side of the trunk, and can also develop over one side of the forehead or eye. Blisters continue to grow for many days.

Scab Formation: Over a period of seven to ten days, blisters sometimes ooze a contagious liquid, start becoming cloudy and begin to flatten. Gradually scab starts forming over the flattened blisters. It can take approximately one to two weeks for complete crust formation over the blisters.
At this stage, there are fewer chances of transmission of the virus. The pain also starts subsiding, but in some people, pain continues for months or years.

The Shingles ‘Belt’: Shingles is also referred to as ‘shingles girdle’ or ‘shingles band’ as it looks like a belt or half belt when it appears around the waist or rib cage. Shingles is easily recognizable with this classic presentation.

Shingles On Face: Shingles on the face appear in different areas.

Zoster Opthalmicus: Shingles can commonly involve the trigeminal nerve of the face. The ophthalmic branch is most commonly involved, and when the virus gets reactivated in this nerve branch, it is referred to as zoster opthalmicus. In some cases, it can cause blindness. The skin of the forehead, the orbit of the eye and upper eyelids may also be involved.

Shingles Oticus: It refers to shingles which involve the ear. It develops when the virus travels from the facial nerve to the vestibulocochlear nerve. There are chances of hearing loss and vertigo in this condition.

Widespread Shingles: A shingles rash is referred to as a wide rash which occurs when more than twenty skin lesions supplied by separate spinal nerves are involved. It is more likely to occur in people with a weak immune system.

Infections can also occur in open blisters and can lead to permanent scarring of skin in some individuals.

Healing: In many people, the skin rash starts healing within two to four weeks. Some people are left with minor scars while in some, complete healing without any scarring is observed.
Some people can also have continued pain for months or longer after healing has taken place at the site of the rash. This is referred to as postherpetic Neuralgia.

Are Shingles Contagious?

Active blisters are contagious. The infection (VZV ) can transmit to other people through direct contact with the infected person. However, the other person will first develop chickenpox, not shingles if the person never had a VZV infection earlier.
On the other hand, if a person has had chickenpox earlier and he gets exposed to the VZV infection, there is a likelihood of developing shingles.

Shingles: Complications

Post Herpetic Neuralgia: In some cases, even after the shingles blisters have resolved, the pain continues. When pain persists for more than 90 days, it is termed as Post Herpetic Neuralgia. In some persons, the pain continues for months or years even after the herpetic lesions have subsided.

Post herpetic neuralgia is most commonly seen with shingles in the mouth which occurs when the mandibular division or the maxillary part of the trigeminal nerve is involved.

Neurological Issues: Shingles can cause facial paralysis, hearing problems and balance issues depending upon which nerves are involved in the infection.

Loss of Vision: When shingles involve the eyes, it can cause infection in the eyes and subsequent loss of vision in some cases.

Encephalitis: In sporadic cases, shingles may lead to inflammation of the brain resulting in encephalitis (acute inflammation in the brain).