Caused by same virus which causes Chicken Pox; virus may lie dormant in a nerve root in spine for many years until reactivated by Stress; when this happens, virus multiplies and attacks the nerve, causing searing, knife-like pains along its course; a few days later, skin above nerve erupts in itchy blisters; these generally heal within 1 week, but nerve pains may last for many weeks. If facial nerve is affected, face may be temporarily paralysed; if optic nerve is affected, cornea may be seriously damaged (see Corneal Ulcer).
If nerve pain and rash occur on trunk, consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 24 hours; if face or eyes are involved, consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 2 hours. Orthodox treatment includes analgesics and antiviral ointments with antiviral tablets and infusions for eye involvement.
Specific remedies to be taken every 2 hours for up to 10 doses while waiting to see medical doctor
- Red, blistered, itchy skin, especially if scalp is affected or person is young, warmth and moving about make symptoms more bearable Rhus tox. 30c
- Burning pains worse between midnight and 2 am, isolated skin eruptions becoming more numerous and merging together, person restless, anxious, exhausted, and chilly, symptoms alleviated by warmth Arsenicum 30c
- Severe pain, skin burns and itches and forms brown scabs, person middle-aged or elderly Mezereum 30c
- Nerve pains and itching, slightest touch or movement makes symptoms worse, and so does eating Ranunculus 30c
- Left side of body affected, with some swelling, aggravated by warmth but relieved by cold Lachesis 30c
Prevention: Anyone who is elderly or infirm and has been in contact with a chickenpox or shingles sufferer should take 3 doses of Variolinum 30c at 12-hour intervals as a preventive.
Self-help: Take as much bed rest as possible to begin with. Sponge blisters with Hypericum and Calendula solution (5 drops of mother tincture of each to 0.25 litre [½ pint] boiled cooled water). Hot and cold compresses also relieve nerve pains. |
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