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Question
23 Oct 2008
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Shingles
Dear Doctor
What natural treatment can be used to alleviate the pain of shingles.
Thanks in advance
What natural treatment can be used to alleviate the pain of shingles.
Thanks in advance
Hello Mrs F,
Capsaicin has been attracting attention for it ability to reeive pain in persons suffering from postherpetic neualgia. Capsaicin is not a product of chemical engineering, but a component found in plants of the same family as red peppers. Researchers in Toronto found that 56 percent of people with postherpetic neuralgia who were treated with capsaicin cream (Zostrix) for four weeks experienced significant reeif of pain, and that 78 percent had at least some improvement in pain. Capsaicin is easy to use-you simply apply it topically to the affected area three or four times a day. In addition, capsaicin does not interact with any other drugs or medications, which makes it an especially attractive option for elderly people, who are often taking one or more drugs on a regular basis.
It should not be applied until the blisters caused by shingles have healed completely, however, or extreme burning pain may result.
Best regards
Dr Guy Ashburner Osteopath
Capsaicin has been attracting attention for it ability to reeive pain in persons suffering from postherpetic neualgia. Capsaicin is not a product of chemical engineering, but a component found in plants of the same family as red peppers. Researchers in Toronto found that 56 percent of people with postherpetic neuralgia who were treated with capsaicin cream (Zostrix) for four weeks experienced significant reeif of pain, and that 78 percent had at least some improvement in pain. Capsaicin is easy to use-you simply apply it topically to the affected area three or four times a day. In addition, capsaicin does not interact with any other drugs or medications, which makes it an especially attractive option for elderly people, who are often taking one or more drugs on a regular basis.
It should not be applied until the blisters caused by shingles have healed completely, however, or extreme burning pain may result.
Best regards
Dr Guy Ashburner Osteopath
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