Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral infection, caused by Varicella zoster virus. It is commonly called shingles. According to the study, 90% of patients with Herpes zoster have had chickenpox a few years back.

Varicella-zoster virus causes acute illness chickenpox. Even after chickenpox is resolved the virus is not eliminated. It can go on to cause Herpes zoster. This virus is located in nerve cells. It may remain silent for years together. When it gets activated, the symptoms appear along the course of nerves.

Sign and symptoms

Herpes zoster is characterized by painful eruptions (yellowish fluid-filled) in a linear shape over a limited area of the body like face, eyes, genitals and other body parts. The eruptions can be reddish-brown in colour. The pain may be mild or unbearable and is related to a nerve in which the virus is located. The eruptions may subside in 3-6 weeks but pain may remain the same.

The same presentation of the Herpes eruption can also be noted on genitals in male and females also. This eruption may last for 2-3 weeks or longer. The local lymph nodes may get swollen. There can be a recurrent relapse.

Herpes Zoster is known to leave behind a painful condition called Post-herpetic Neuralgia in many patients.

Homeopathy can effectively treat Herpes zoster. In homeopathy, there is no local or external medication. Constitutional medicines are given after studying the mind and body in detail. Constitutional medicines reduce the intensity of pain, burning and subsequently reduce infection, and shorten the duration of infection. Relapses are also prevented by homeopathy. Homeopathy is also very effective in the cases of Post-herpetic neuralgia. Homeopathy is strongly advocated in the cases of Herpes Zoster.