Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles are a unilateral, inflammatory, vesicular, eruption caused by latent herpes varicella virus from within sensory ganglia which attacks the posterior root ganglion and produces the skin eruption secondarily along the dermatomal distribution. It commonly attacks elder people, young persons with immunodeficiency are affected, or it can also transmit as Trans placental infection from mother to baby.
Varicella zoster reactivation in the dorsal root ganglia causes structural damage that result in chronic stimulation of the CNS resulting in pain.
Symptoms of Shingles
- incubation period 7 – 12 days.
- Pain with hyperesthesia along the course of the nerve and fever
- Eruption may be first sign. A red rash that begins a few days after the pain. Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over.
- Edematous patches along course of nerve
- Tenderness
- Pain
- Appearance of vesicles in crops later may become purulent
- In immunosuppression, lesion may be widespread
- Chronic ulcerative lesions are found in AIDS patient
- Rashes are unilateral, rashes leaves pigmentation and scarring
Diagnosis of Shingles
Based on typical unilateral lesion
Isolation of virus from lesion
Homeopathy Treatment for shingles
Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat shingles but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several well-proved medicines are available in the treatment for shingles that can be selected on the basis of cause, location, sensation, modalities and extension of the complaints. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person. Few important homeopathic medicines which are helpful in the treatment for shingles are given below:
Sepia, Tellurium, Capsicum, Natrum mur, Rhus tox, Arsenic album, Hepar sulph, Nitric acid, Caladium, Carbo aeg, Ranunculous bulbous and many other medicines.
Aconitum Napellus
Early cases, with restlessness, anxiety and high fever.
Antimonium Tartaricum
Delayed or receding, blue or pustular eruptions. Drowsy, sweaty and relaxed; nausea. Tardy eruption, to accelerate it. Associated with bronchitis, especially in children.
Belladonna
Severe headache: face flushed; hot skin. Drowsiness with inability to sleep.
Mercurius
“Should vesicles suppurate.” Mercurius has a marked affinity for right side.
Rhus Toxicodendron
Intense itching. Generally the only remedy required; under its action the vesicular eruptions soon disappears. Hairy parts more affected.
Ranunculous bulbus
Shingles affecting the supraorbital & intercostal nerves. There are sharp stitching pains which are worse from touch, motion, change of temperature & on entering a cold place
Shingles Cases Cured with Homeopathic Medicine
Case of Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – by Lily Samardzic-Rafik
A Case of Shingles – by Ursula Dobelmann
A Case of Shingles – by Glenda Malone
Never well since shingles, mono, strep and bronchitis – by Nancy Gahles
Herpes Zoster Treated Effectively by Classical Homeopathy – by Linda Lee
A Dogged Case of Psoriatic Arthritis Hypertension and Ophthlamic Shingles – by Douglas Falkner
He Only Touched My Chin – A Case of Herpes Zoster – by Anthony Robinson
apple cider vinegar on the wounds and by mouth (2 tablespoons in 8 oz of apple juice) helped me and lessened the rash.