Help for Shingles Naturally with Homeopathy
by Sujata Owens
The pain of shingles can be excruciating, but homeopathy can treat symptoms associated with shingles naturally, gently and rapidly.
Also known as herpes zoster, shingles often appears as a band of blisters that wraps from the middle of your back around one side of your chest to your breastbone. Other parts of the body such as the neck, face or scalp can exhibit blisters as well.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive (dormant) in your nerves. Years later, the virus may be reactivated as shingles.
Shingles isn't a life-threatening condition, but it can be very painful. Sometimes, the rash leads to a debilitating complication called postherpetic neuralgia. This condition causes the skin to remain painful and sensitive to touch for months or even years after the rash clears up. That, too, can be treated under the direction of a professional homeopath.
If you have shingles, it’s important to pay close attention to your symptoms since they will tell you which remedy is best for your particular situation. Everyone is different, but here are a few homeopathic remedies I’ve used successfully in treating shingles.
Remedy #1: Mezereum
Homeopathic Mezereum has the reputation for being the most likely fit for persons suffering from shingles. It is, of course, useful in treating the eruptions on the skin, but it helps head off the skin sensitivity mentioned above that can linger for months or even years.
If you have symptoms that closely match the ones listed below, Mezereum may be a good remedy for you:
Itching occurring in the evening in bed worsens and turns to burning by touch or by scratching.
Sensitivity to touch; skin ulcers that are sensitive, bleed easily, and are painful at night; the pus tends to form a scab under which a quantity of pus collects.
A feeling of irritation when urinating.
Remedy #2: Ranunculosus bulbosus
This homeopathic remedy has successfully treated many cases of shingles, too. It helps eruptions similar to shingles, which can occur along the course of nerves. If you experience some of the symptoms below, Ranunculosus bulbosus may be the right remedy for you:
Burning blisters associated with sharp, stitching pains.
Pain in the rib cage with a sharp stitch in the chest, much soreness, and a feeling as if the parts were being pounded that is worse from every change of weather.
Blisters filled with a yellowish fluid which burns. Blisters can be very large and burst, leaving raw surfaces.
Eczema and blisters followed by scabs and then a fresh eruption of blisters with burning and itching. There can be thickening of the skin and the formation of hard, horny crusts.
A sensation of crawling, creeping, and/or itching in the scalp, palms of the hands, and the fingers.
Most symptoms are worse in the morning and evening and when entering a cool place or with wet weather.
Remedy #3: Rhus toxicodendron
This remedy is helpful for burning and nerve pains after an episode of shingles. This remedy finds its use when a person experiences the following:
Intense itching, especially if some or all of the following are true: 1) Itching is made better by hot water. 2) Itching burns and smarts. 3) There is a feeling of being pierced with hot needles. 4) Itching is all over and worse on hairy parts. 5) Itching is worse with sweating. 6) There is burning after scratching. 7) Rubbing the affected part aggravates the eruptions.
Herpetic eruptions (a rash with blisters that usually burns and itches), alternating with dysentery and pains in chest.
Herpes with blisters filled with pus.
The skin is dry, hot, and burning.
Sensitivity to cold air.
Symptoms are worse from getting wet.
There are hives during chills and fever.
Swollen glands.
Restless sleep with tossing about because you can't get comfortable.
Other Remedies
Because homeopathy treats the individual, the remedy that matches your symptoms most closely may be something else. Here are short descriptions of other possibilities:
Variolinum can help in cases accompanied by back pain which is described as an ache that feels like the back is broken, and when the skin is hot and dry.
Arsenicum album may be useful in cases where the pain is burning and relieved by heat and where there is great restlessness and anxiety.
Iris versicolor is useful when there is digestive distress and when the skin symptoms appear especially on the right side of the abdomen.
Thuja occidentalis may be called for when there is especially acute nerve pain associated with shingles.
To find the right remedy, it may be necessary to consult with a professional homeopath who can help you narrow down the possibilities that apply to you.
Sujata Owens is a certified homeopath and homeopathic master clinician at Vital Force Consulting, Inc. in Northfield, Minnesota. She can be contacted by email at vitalforceconsulting4@gmail.com or by phone at (507) 581-1114. Visit her website at www.vitalforceconsulting.com.
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