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Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia
The virus that triggers chickenpox also causes shingles. Although no cure exists, treatments are available to relieve the rash and nerve pain. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Consider capsaicin To soothe pain, apply an ointment containing capsaicin, a substance found in cayenne peppers, four times a day
- Try peppermint oil
Apply 2 to 3 drops to the affected area three or four times per day for pain relief
Also indexed as:
- herpes zoster,
- postherpetic neuralgia,
- post-herpetic neuralgia,
- shingles,
- varicella zoster,
- Varicella-zoster virus,
- zoster
About this treatment
About This Condition
Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus (Varicella zoster) that causes chicken pox. Acute, painful inflamed blisters form on one side of the trunk along a peripheral nerve.
Shingles usually affects the elderly or people with compromised immune function. Nerve pain that persists after other symptoms have cleared is called postherpetic neuralgia.
Symptoms
Symptoms include pain, itching, or a tingling sensation prior to the appearance of a severely painful skin rash of red, fluid-filled blisters that later crust over. The rash is typically located on the trunk or face and only affects one side of the body. Pain may resolve rapidly or persist in the area of the rash for months to years after the rash disappears.
Holistic Options
Acupuncture may be helpful in some cases of shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. Anecdotal case reports of people treated with electroacupuncture (acupuncture with applied electrical current) described improvement in seven of eight people. A controlled trial, however, found no difference in response between acupuncture treatment and placebo. The authors of this trial reported some difficulty in evaluating the results due to difficulty in assessing measures of pain in this study group. Large, controlled trials using well-designed pain evaluation methods are still needed to determine the value of acupuncture in the treatment of shingles and postherpetic neuralgia.
Hypnosis has improved or cured some cases of postherpetic neuralgia, as well as the acute pain of shingles.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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