Pain or tingling from damaged or inflamed peripheral nerves (nerves not in the brain or spiral cord); some forms are mild or temporary, others recurrent or severe, such as Sciatica (affecting the sciatic nerve in leg) and Trigeminal neuralgia (shooting pains in the main facial nerve).

Nerves can be damaged by alcohol, drugs, too much glucose in the blood (as in one form of Diabetes), too much Vitamin B6, arsenic, mercury, lead, and organo-phosphate residues (from weedkillers). They can also be damaged by vitamin deficiencies, especially of the B vitamins; or damage may be a consequence of infections such as Shingles, Diptheria, polio, Tetanus, or leprosy, or vaccines, as in Guillain barre syndrome. Some form of neuropathy affects 1 person in 400; symptoms range from mild tingling to agonising or shooting pains, and from pins and needles to complete numbness and wasting of unused muscles. Weakness and loss of sensation can easily result in injury.

Neuralgia and neuritis should be treated by an experienced homeopath Your GP may recommend analgesics or painkillers if the pain is severe, and perhaps physiotherapy.

Specific remedies to be given 4 times daily for up to 2 weeks while constitutional help is being sought

Nerves flare up after exposure to cold, affected part of body feels congested as well as numb Aconite 30c

Attack brought on by dry cold, person feels chilly, exhausted, restless burning or searing pains Arsenicum 6c

Attack brought on by cold or damp, pain violent and lacerating, and better for application of heat especially if person is suffering from facial neuralgia Colocynth 6c

Pain worse after sleep Lachesis 6c

Pain alleviated by heat and pressure Magnesia phos. 6c

Neuralgia affecting rib cage or located above right eye Ranunculus 6c

Pain above left eye, made worse by movement Spigelia 6c

Self-help: Vitamins Bl, B2, and biotin are good for nerves generally; for neuralgia after shingles, take extra Vitamin E as well; for diabetic neuritis, take extra Bl2 and chromium in addition to the general nerve vitamins mentioned above.