Homoeopathic Approach in the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Case Report.

Abstract

Introduction: The varicella zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox in unvaccinated individuals, is the cause of herpes zoster. Vaccinated individuals with partial protection acquired against the virus during a previous chicken pox episode may be susceptible to herpes zoster. When affected by chicken pox, the virus lodges in the posterior nerve root ganglion. From then on, anytime the patient encounters a decrease in cell-mediated immunity during their lifetime, the patient is at a risk of developing an acute eruption that appears like tense vesicles and occurs in groups with surrounding erythema. Typically, the eruption is entirely unilateral and is restricted to a single neural segment. Paraesthesia and intense pain in the afflicted neural segment are the most common consequences of herpes zoster and might appear after the skin eruptions. This pain can last for several months even after the eruption has healed.

Methodology: This case was treated at the OPD of Dr. D.Y. Patil Homoeopathic Medical College & Research Centre, Pune, India. A 67-year-old male patient was diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). During one month of regular treatment, all the complaints were resolved.

Result: All of the problems were resolved after prescribing individualised homoeopathic medication over a month of routine follow-up visits. The patient's problems with his bodily and mental well-being were resolved. The patient's visual analogue scale score, used to assess pain, dropped to 0 from 9.

Conclusion: We may infer that tailored homoeopathic therapy is beneficial in treating postherpetic complications based on the favourable outcome shown in this case.

Keywords: Postherpetic Neuralgia, Herpes Zoster, Varicella-zoster virus, Homoeopathy, Arsenicum album, Ranunculus bulbous, Totality of symptoms, Case report.