HERPES ZOSTER RASH, SHINGLES PAIN

Shingles pain starts 4 days before the rash appears.

The pain will be in one limb or on one side of the trunk (chest or abdomen.) I have never seen it on two sides at once, but see dermnetnz.org, where you can see good pictures as well.

You can test yourself with a pin during these 4 days before the rash appears, to check for this condition. Compare the area of the pain with the same area on your other side.

The skin in the area of the pain may have reduced sensation to a light prick, and increased pain from a firmer prick.

Initially just draw the pin quickly over a larger area, including on either side of the area of pain. See if the sensation is varying anywhere.

testing skin sensation with pin

The rash consists of multiple groups of tiny blisters, in a band around one side of the trunk, or down a limb or over the head.



Your treatment options for shingles pain relief

Early diagnosis of herpes zoster is very useful, so that you can start antiviral treatment ASAP.

Before these drugs became available, I used intravenous vitamin C. This was useful, but it quickly became so obvious that the drugs were much better, that I stopped using it.

It is possible that there may be some advantage in using both together. It makes sense to me, to give added nutritional supplies, when the nerve is in trouble.

I believe vitamin injections are definitely still useful.

In the early stages, intramuscular vitamin B12 2000mcg, is very valuable for rapid pain relief, even when antiviral drug treatment is used.

This may be repeated 2 or 3 times, as needed.

Herbal remedies are recommended on various sites. A naturopath patient of mine advises black walnut (orally) for herpes zoster ophthalmicus, to protect the eye.


Post herpetic neuralgia

When pain persists after the rash subsides, injections of high dose B complex are definitely of some use, in my experience.
I also use a multivitamin infusion called Cernevit, which is more complete, being designed for total parenteral nutrition.

Nothing is a guaranteed cure for this condition, and one just tries all the options.

Skilled acupuncture treatment often helps, provided it is in the first six months after the rash.



More treatment options depending on why you got shingles

I have the distinct impression that one reason people get shingles is an osteopathic lesion in the spine at that level.

I also have the distinct impression that treating such lesions can help relieve persisting pain after shingles.

In some cases, shingles may be set off by pressure on the nerve roots, by radiotherapy at the level of the affected nerve root or by spinal surgery.

General immune deficiency may have predisposed to this attack of shingles, and need treatment in its own right ( which would depend on the cause.)



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