Shingles
Shingles are a skin condition that causes blotchy red patches and a painful eruption on the skin’s surface. The same virus that causes chickenpox is also responsible for shingles, also known as herpes zoster. In most cases, the virus shows up like chickenpox and stays dormant in this state after chickenpox is gone but later erupts. Then, vesicular skin lesions and excruciating skin pain are the symptoms of this virus. These lesions appear anywhere on the skin, especially along the nerve root distribution.
The pain can last up to fourteen days before an outbreak of rash occurs, and healing may occur within twenty days. It is important to consult your healthcare provider if you experience extended pain or if the rash spreads to the area of the eye.
Symptoms
The following are the common noticeable signs of herpes zoster
red rash
Blisters show on the skin and later break open and crust over
Itching of the skin
burning feelings of pain, some level of numbness, or a tingling sensation.
Likely Causes
There are a variety of factors that may be responsible for the development of Shingles, and they include the following:
- Weakening of the immune system of the body
- An infection in the body
- Shock (Physical or emotional)
- Exposure to chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- Extensive use of steroids
- The risk of contracting shingles increases with age.
Homeopathic Treatment for herpes zoster
Conventional treatments for herpes zoster include antiviral agents and pain relief drugs. The homeopathic treatment uses a cure-like approach. This means using similar medicine, especially one that brings about similar symptoms, given in a tiny dose to make the body heal itself.
This form of treatment involves giving a particular homeopathic medicine that corresponds to the symptoms shown by an individual patient. To make this treatment effective, using the written dosage is of great importance, as it requires strict adherence to the prescription.
Homeopathic Remedies for Shingles
Arsenicum album: this treatment is appropriate for skin conditions with itching and burning sensations. Heat or, occasionally, cold can also relieve the burning sensation. The patient feels thirsty and restless.
Rhus Toxicodendron: This remedy is made from poison oak, is homeopathic, and is used in treating Shingles. Due to the itching nature of poison oak, which is similar to shingles reactions, this remedy suits the treatment of shingles. It is appropriate for a patient with restlessness who always changes positions.
Graphites: This remedy is used later in Shingles disease for patients with crusty vesicles accompanied by sticky exudation.
Hypericum: This remedy is used for shingles with extreme pain and intense itching. This pain is due to the excess paint on the nerve.
Cantharis: The associated indication of this form of Shingles is a burning sensation aggravated with touch but milder with cold application. This remedy is appropriate for the treatment of such symptoms.
Ranunculus bulgosa: This is made from the herb buttercup, and it is appropriate for burning and itching that gets worse with touch. The vessels are bluish in appearance.
Homeopathic remedies are not limited to the ones listed above. Rhus toxicodendron will be appropriate at the initial stage, and graphites will be used later in case you are unsure which remedy to use. You can also change the remedy if you find it more appropriate.
It is advisable to consult a homeopath for a more accurate prescription.
Dosing and Tips
For the homeopathic treatment of shingles to be effective, it is better to repeat it four times daily for a few hours. It can also be combined with other medications without any complications, except that it may distort the symptoms shown, which might slow the response expected from the treatment.
Avoid caffeine and mint, including flavored toothpaste, as they can interfere with the homeopathic remedy.
Do not touch the homeopathic remedy with a bare hand. Take it straight from the bottle, avoiding direct contact with the content.
In conclusion, never be scared of using a homeopathic remedy for shingles; it won’t hurt anyway, and the healing effect will be visible and seen faster than you think.
Homeopathic Treatment for Shingles in Philadelphia
At the Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic, a worldwide recognized homeopathic practitioner, medical doctor Victor Tsan will perform an initial assessment lasting 1.5–2 hours and choose the most appropriate homeopathic combination (protocol) for the patient’s constitution. Amongst classical diagnostic techniques (anamnesis, percussion, palpation, and auscultation), doctor Tsan uses iridology diagnostics to pinpoint the core of the problem and the initial glitch in your body that led to the development of the shingles.
Contact Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic to schedule an appointment for a homeopathic evaluation or use our secure online scheduling system.