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. Though the person recovers from the chicken pox within weeks, the virus remains in the nerve cells, in an inactive state. This virus can reactivate anytime it finds a suitable trigger like lowered immunity. Homeopathic medicines for postherpetic neuralgia are deep acting remedies that can help resolve the problem.   

When the dormant virus gets reactivated, it leads to herpes zoster or shingles with painful skin eruptions. The rash of herpes zoster 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 3 months is referred to as postherpetic neuralgia. The postherpetic neuralgia results from damage to the nerve caused by the herpes zoster virus. The pain may vary from discomfort to severe, stabbing pain. Along with pain, burning, increased sensitivity, weakness of affected skin area may also arise.

Homeopathic Medicines for Postherpetic Neuralgia

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 postherpetic neuralgia. Then the medicines work to remove the chronicity of the pain. The burning sensation, hypersensitivity associated with this condition also heals under the use of homeopathy for postherpetic neuralgia. Apart from post-herpetic neuralgia, other nerve pains that find proper treatment in Homeopathy include sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, and intercostal neuralgia.

1. Mezereum – For Postherpetic Neuralgia with Intense Burning

Mezereum is rated among the best medicines for postherpetic neuralgia. It is the best-suited prescription when postherpetic neuralgic pains are violent and attended with marked burning. Mezereum is the most helpful among medicines for postherpetic neuralgia in postherpetic pains located in the face. The pain in the face may get worse while eating. Warmth brings relief. Mezereum is also helpful during active herpes zoster where eruptions are present. 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

Another of the prominently indicated medicines for postherpetic neuralgia is Ranunculus Bulbosus. It is indicated for sharp, shooting, postherpetic neuralgic 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 vesicles eruptions are bluish in colour. 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 postherpetic neuralgia. It is one of the best medicines for postherpetic neuralgia 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.