PHN is the onset pain from Shingles. In many cases, the aftermath pain of Postherpetic Neuralgia or PHN is worse than the shingles disease. PHN affects the nerve fibers in the skin. It is the most common complication of shingles and results from damage to nerve fibers. The rash and pain from shingles usually lasts about a month. But people with PHN may have pain from that will last for months, and sometimes years, after the shingles rash has healed. This article explores the various pain relief treatments for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN).
People who continue to feel pain long after the rash and blisters heal are experiencing a pain called postherpetic neuralgia which basically is damage to their nerve fibers caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. Nerve fibers essentially send messages from the skin to the brain. Damaged Nerve fibers due to shingles are not able to send messages to the spinal cord as they normally do and it is believed that the body may perceive these “mixed messages” as pain signals.
Age and PHN are related. Older people are more susceptible to PHN. PHN usually does not develop in people under age 50. Over 40% of patients with shingles age 60 or older develop PHN. After the shingles rash has healed, 75% of people over age 70 have pain at 1 month, and 50% still have pain after 1 year.
Treatments for postherpetic neuralgia depends on the type of phn pain you experience. Generally for~post herpetic neuralgia these include:
> Antidepressants
> Drugs that inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin
> Certain anticonvulsants
> Injected steroids
> Painkillers
> Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
> Spinal cord or peripheral nerve stimulation.
> Lidocaine skin patches
There are even some alternate remedies that have been tried by those suffering from PHN such as hypnosis, acupuncture, diluted apple cider vinegar, colustrum and vitamin B5.
Two highly effective alternative medicine treatments for PHN pain are Menastil and EZ Pain Relief. Both are non-narcotic, non-addictive topical solutions that effectively penetrate the skin to reach the inflamed area to cause the nerve ends to relax and allow the blood and oxygen to flow back into the painful area to effectively cutoff the pain signal to the spinal cord and therefore to the brain. You still have the PHN condition, since these products are not cures, but you will not feel substantially less pain with the use of either of these products.
Multiple pain relief treatment regimens as notated above for postherpetic neuralgia generally brings complete pain relief. But most people still experience some pain no matter what the treatment, and a few don’t get any relief at all. Although some people will live with postherpetic neuralgia the rest of their lives, most people can expect the condition to gradually disappear during the first three months. For about 10 percent to 20 percent of people with postherpetic neuralgia, the pain may persist for a year or more.
The key to solving PHN pain is to experiment with a number of regimens to find which treatments work for you. Whatever you decide, choose products that are nonaddictive and nonhabit forming such as the products on The Centre for Pain Relief website.

Genital herpes is an STD caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is in the same family of viruses responsible for chickenpox, shingles and mononucleosis (commonly called “mono” or “the kissing disease”). HSV can occur in two forms: HSV-1, which infects 80 percent of the U.S. population, usually appears on the lips in cold sores; HSV-2 is usually found in the genital area. However, if a person with HSV-1 (cold sores) performs oral sex, their partner may contract HSV-1 in the genitals. Likewise, participating in oral sex can spread genital herpes to the mouth in some rare cases.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) more than 1 out of 5 teens and adults are infected with genital herpes. It’s more commonly found in African Americans than in Caucasian Americans, and more common in women than in men.
Genital herpes occurrences are different for each infected person. Outbreaks can be experienced for years. Some people have frequent outbreaks each year, while others experience only a few. Some factors that have been attributed to causing outbreaks are:
* Stress
* Menstruation
* Immune system suppression, caused by medications like steroids or chemotherapy, or infections like HIV
* Sickness
* Surgical procedure or organ transplant
* Friction, often caused by vigorous sexual intercourse or exercise
* Tiredness
Genital herpes outbreaks (http://herpes-virus.org/treatments.htm)often appear in the same area each time. Symptoms, however, may not always appear in exactly the same place. It is not uncommon for a lesion to appear on the genitals in one recurrence and near the anus in another instance. In some instances, the outbreak can be active and transmittable even without the presence of lesions.
It is common for people who contract genital herpes to experience mild to no symptoms at all. Therefore, they are unaware of infection. If symptoms do occur, the initial outbreak arises in the appearance of extremely painful skin lesions.
In women sores may emerge in and around the vaginal area and within the cervix. In men, sores may appear on the penis and scrotum. If the area under the foreskin is affected, scabs may not develop, the sore will heal slowly without scarring. Both males and females may also get lesions in other areas of the body including, but not limited to: the urinary tract, around the anal opening, buttocks or thighs. Once blisters have ruptured, small sores appear. And if these sores are irritated by water or urine, they may be painful. Ultimately, these sores form a crusty overlay and scab over.
About 80% of people with genital herpes are undiagnosed which means that the virus is passed on to other partners. Infrequent diagnosis and ignorance about the virus make herpes the most common STD in the world.
However, when diagnosed properly, people who have genital herpes can become proactive about their health and take advantage of treatments that may reduce frequency and duration of outbreaks. Treatment (http://herpes-virus.org/treatments.htm)can also reduce the risk of transmitting genital herpes to sexual partners.

Dermisil for Shingles is a breakthrough medical treatment proven to reduce and eliminate shingles outbreaks, naturally and effectively, without harmful side effects found in many shingles treating drugs.

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Generally, shingles heal well and problems are few. However, on occasion, the blisters can become infected with bacteria, causing cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the skin. If this occurs, the area will become reddened, warm, firm, and tender. You might notice red streaks forming around the wound. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your health-care professional. Antibiotics can be used to treat these complications.

Shingles isn’t infectious in the same way as chickenpox, where the virus can be passed on to other people by coughs and sneezes. However, the virus can be passed on by direct contact with fluid from shingles blisters, until they dry up and crust over. This can cause chickenpox in people who aren’t already immune to it. People with shingles should avoid contact with people who have a lowered immunity, babies or pregnant women (see Who is most likely to get shingles?). If the rash is covered, the virus is less likely to be spread.

Shingles symptoms generally disappear within three to five weeks. However, treatment is recommended to help encourage shingles pain relief. Your health care provider can offer you oral antiviral medications, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, in order to speed up the course of the shingles disease. You may also be prescribed pain relieving medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Shingles symptoms happen in stages. At first you may have a headache or be sensitive to light. You may also feel like you have the flu but not have a fever. Later, you may feel itching, tingling, or pain in a certain area. Thatâ??s where a band, strip, or small area of rash may occur a few days later. The rash turns into clusters of blisters. The blisters fill with fluid and then crust over. It takes 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal, and they may leave scars. Some people only get a mild rash, and some do not get a rash at all.

Doctors can distinguish shingles from chickenpox (or dermatitis or poison ivy) by the way the spots are distributed. Since shingles occurs in an area of the skin that is supplied by sensory fibers of a single nerve–called a dermatome–the rash usually appears in a well-defined band on one side of the body, typically the torso; or on one side of the face, around the nose and eyes. (Shingles’ peculiar name derives from the Latin cingulum, which means girdle or belt.) If a diagnosis is in doubt, lab tests can confirm the presence of the virus.

The severity and duration of an attack of shingles can be significantly reduced by immediate treatment with antiviral drugs, which include acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famcyclovir. Antiviral drugs may also help stave off the painful aftereffects of shingles known as postherpetic neuralgia (see section entitled “What are the Complications of Shingles?). Doctors now recommend starting antiviral drugs within 72 hours of the first sign of the shingles rash. Early treatment is believed to reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia and may speed up the healing process.

Shingles is distinctive because it affects only one side of the body. Shingles is derived from the Latin and French words for belt or girdle, reflecting distribution of the rash in a broad band. The chickenpox virus (varicella) remains in a dormant state in the body in the root of nerves that control sensation. The majority of people with shingles, however, are healthy. No special tests need to be done to see if your immune system is strong. It occurs only in people who have had chickenpox in the past and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella virus.

What causes shingles?

Shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body. After you get better from chickenpox, the virus “sleeps” (is dormant) in your nerve roots. In some people, it stays dormant forever. In others, the virus “wakes up” when disease, stress, or aging weakens the immune system. It is not clear why this happens. But after the virus becomes active again, it can only cause shingles, not chickenpox.

Symptoms

The main symptom of shingles is often extreme sensitivity or pain in a broad band on one side of the body. The pain and general symptoms subside gradually as the eruption disappears. In uncomplicated cases recovery is complete in 2-3 weeks in children and young adults, and 3 to 4 weeks in older patients. The pain may be just in one spot or it may spread out. The patient usually feels quite unwell with fever and headache. The lymph nodes draining the affected area are often enlarged and tender.

Before a rash is visible, the patient may notice several days to a week of burning pain and sensitive skin. Before the rash is visible, it may be difficult to determine the cause of the often severe pain. Shingles start as small blisters on a red base, with new blisters continuing to form for three to five days. The blisters follow the path of individual nerves that comes out of the spinal cord (called a dermatomal pattern). The entire path of the nerve may be involved or there may be areas with blisters and areas without blisters.

Treatment

Antiviral medications are also routinely prescribed in severe cases of shingles or when the eye is affected. Such treatment needs to begin within three days of getting the rash to be effective, so if you suspect you have shingles, see your doctor immediately. For reasons that are not completely understood, some PHN patients get no relief from pain medication, and what works in one case may not be effective in another.

The severity and duration of an attack of shingles can be significantly reduced by immediate treatment with antiviral drugs, which include acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famcyclovir. Antiviral drugs may also help stave off the painful aftereffects of shingles known as postherpetic neuralgia (see section entitled “What are the Complications of Shingles?). Doctors now recommend starting antiviral drugs within 72 hours of the first sign of the shingles rash. Early treatment is believed to reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia and may speed up the healing process.

When someone speaks of shingles, they may or may not know they are actually referring to the herpes zoster virus. This is a viral infection that forms at the nerve roots, forming painful red rashes with tiny blisters, usually filled with a clear fluid. The skin often feels tingly before the rash appears on the infected areas, though burning sensations have also been reported.

The virus will usually manifest near the beltline of a person, but this is not always the case – infections of herpes zoster have been reported in various areas of the body, including the face. The rash can literally form anywhere on the body, but most infections will manifest only on one side and not spread from there.

The rash is usually painful, itchy, and can often be accompanied by blisters. People who have herpes zoster also usually do not feel well while infected. Other common symptoms to the condition include fever, chills, headaches, an upset stomach, and an increased sensitivity to light. Note that these are among the most common symptoms, but this is far from a comprehensive listing of all the signs of a shingles infection.

The varicella-zoster virus, from which herpes zoster gets its name, is the cause of shingles. This is also the same virus that causes chicken pox, and once a person has had chicken pox, the infection may lie dormant in one’s nerve cells. These dormant viral cells can reactivate as shingles when the conditions are appropriate. Also, anyone that has been exposed to the virus can be infected. Note that shingles and chicken pox, while caused by the same viral agent, are not the same illness and require different treatments.

For a person to get shingles, they must have been exposed to the virus or have had chicken pox in the past. Age is considered a major factor in infections, with over half of reported cases manifesting in people who are over the age of 60. This is believed to be due to the weakened immune systems of these people – those with immune system problems are known to be more likely to be infected. Shingles is a common problem for those who have HIV or AIDS, or in cancer patients. Those with treatment regimens that include radiation and chemotherapy, along with certain steroids, are also prone to the problem. There are also some patients who develop it for no apparent reason.

Scientists have not found a treatment that prevents all patients with shingles from developing PHN. However, there are several treatments that some think migh reduce the chances of developing PHN but the evidence as of this date is suspect and difficult to prove given the different PHN responses by patient to an outbreak of shingles.

People who continue to feel pain long after the rash and blisters heal are experiencing a pain called postherpetic neuralgia which basically is damage to their nerve fibers caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. Nerve fibers essentially send messages from the skin to the brain. Damaged Nerve fibers due to shingles are not able to send messages to the spinal cord as they normally do and it is believed that the body may perceive these “mixed messages” as pain signals.

Age and PHN are related. Older people are more susceptible to PHN. PHN usually does not develop in people under age 50. Over 40% of patients with shingles age 60 or older develop PHN. After the shingles rash has healed, 75% of people over age 70 have pain at 1 month, and 50% still have pain after 1 year.

During an outbreak of shingles, other risk factors for the development of PHN include:

>Greater pain severity >Greater rash severity >Sensory impairment (problems with feeling touch) in the affected skin >Painful period before the shingles rash appears >The trigeminal nerve (a nerve in the face) is affected

Treatments for postherpetic neuralgia depends on the type of phn pain you experience. Generally for~post herpetic neuralgia these include:

> Antidepressants> Drugs that inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin > Certain anticonvulsants > Injected steroids > Painkillers> Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)> Spinal cord or peripheral nerve stimulation. > Lidocaine skin patches

There are even some alternate remedies that have been tried by those suffering from PHN such as hypnosis, acupuncture, diluted apple cider vinegar, colustrum and vitamin B5.

Two highly effective alternative medicine treatments for PHN pain are Menastil and EZ Pain Relief. Both are non-narcotic, non-addictive topical solutions that effectively penetrate the skin. Their active ingredients reach the inflamed area to cause the nerve ends to relax and allow the blood and oxygen to flow back into the painful area to effectively cutoff the pain signal to the spinal cord and therefore to the brain. You still have the PHN condition, since these products are not cures, but you will feel substantially less pain with the use of either of these products.

Although some people will live with postherpetic neuralgia the rest of their lives, most people can expect the condition to gradually disappear during the first three months. For about 10 percent to 20 percent of people with postherpetic neuralgia, the pain may persist for a year or more.

If you are looking out for a natural remedy for your shingles, it is worth taking a look at a new product called Zosterol. There are no toxic constituents present in the medicine and it also proves to be beneficial as it alleviates the symptoms caused by shingles in a safer and easier way than other products. The ingredients have gained importance over time as they’ve been used as a home remedy for many to provide shingles relief. Zosterol is considered to be a real improvement for those who are worried about taking medications which are known for several side effects.
Some people who had suffered from chickenpox during their childhood days develop what is known as shingles and this medicine lends out a proper hand in providing real comfort. The patients suffering from this ailment can find it very difficult to enter large crowds and other functions in public places. Zosterol plays a vital role in helping shingles sufferers with their to eliminate the symptoms both physical and mental, allowing increased self esteem and elimination of the shame they once had to being seen in public.
The lesions which seem to be irritating and burning are treated and smoothened thus providing those happy days back to you. Above all Zosterol helps in increasing the total immunity of the body as it stimulated the ability of the body to absorb nutrients and also by increasing the interaction of the cell. This is where it differs from other products which simply treat the effects of shingles, Zosterol treats the root cause of the problem.
There are four major ingredients present in this medicine and they include Beta-Glucan, Ghatti Gum, Aloe vera and Arabinogalactan. Beta-Glucan acts to be supporting the activity as well as the formation of macrophages so that it affects the cellular defense mechanism of the body. The overall memory enhancement and the ability to absorb calcium is taken care of by Ghatti gum.
The communication in the cellular level could also be stimulated. The cellular immunological system of the body is sure to have an energizing effect with the help of aloe vera present in Zosterol. The lost health and weakness could be reposition into the normal healthy state by the presence of aloe vera as it has the amazing property of fighting against viral infections and viruses.
Another important constituent of Zosterol is arabinogalactan which helps in retaining the function of kidney, nervous system as well as the reproductive system of the body. The normal intake of the medication is considered to be two capsules per day. It has to be consumed about thirty minutes before the main course. The results will be seen after different periods of time from person to person, but the average time is quoted at 3-4 weeks after it is first taken.
Tetrasil is the other alternative that has had several good reviews, however the way it works is to simply fight the pain that is caused by shingles and doesn’t aim at eliminating the root cause. It can be seen as more effective when taken with Zosterol as they both combat different area’s of the problem.
Other antiviral medications such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir) offer substantial relief and significantly reduce the duration of symptoms for most affected individuals. Starting an antiviral medication within 72 hours of the first sign of a shingles attack is generally recommended to help speed healing and possibly reduce the risk of developing complications such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) is caused by a type of herpes virus known as the Epstein-Barr virus. It is most commonly seen in young people (hence its nickname: “student flu”). The disease is seriously debilitating and can take several months to clear up.

Extreme fatigue, fever, muscular aches and pains, sore throat and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck, are the symptoms of this illness.

Treatment

Aromatherapy Massage with essential oils; lavender has antiviral properties and is particularly effective. (Do not massage with oils while patient still has a fever; dilute oils with tepid water and sponge down instead.)

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Homeopathic Homeopathic remedies ean help with specific symptoms, particularly exhaustion, sweating, aches and pains, and depression.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Some sufferers henefit from these therapies.

Diet And Nutrition Eat foods rich in antioxidant nutrients (vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B-complex, and minerals copper, iron, zinc, and selenium). Garlic and ginger can be helpful. Sufferers from mononucleosis appear to have lower than normal levels of essential fatty acids (EFAs). A qualified nutritionist might recommend a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oils to help raise these levels and to alleviate the symptoms of fatigue and malaise. Large doses of vitamin C (up to 100g) given by intravenous injection with the pharmaceutical drug amantadine hydrochloride may remove symptoms and promote recovery. It is the “alternative” treatment of choice in the United States, but must be given by a medical physician.

Counseling, Rrlaxation Techniques, And Meditation All of these therapies are helpful for relieving stress and depression.

Shingles

The herpes zoster virus is the cause of shingles, which occurs when the immune system is weakened and the dormant virus is activated. Symptoms include acute skin sensitivity and a classic rash running around one half of the midriff. The face, neck, and (rarely) eyes may also be affected.

Treatment

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Aromatherapy, Homeopathy,and Acupuncture. All of these therapies are known to be benefical in cases of shingles. Accupunture can be effective in the treatment of postherpetic syndrome after infection.

Shingles is a skin rash that is caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), the very same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person gets over the initial outbreak of chickenpox, this virus lives in the nervous system, never fully leaving the body. When certain situations, such as stress, or the onset of immunodeficiency disorders develop, the virus can reactivate, causing shingles. More commonly however, the actual cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk or developing shingles.
What are the symptoms of Shingles?
The initial onset of shingles can display as an extreme sensitivity or burning sensation on the skin in the affected area. It can include itching, tingling, burning, constant aching, or deep, shooting pain. Within a few days, a rash develops. It will usually present itself as a band that follows the route of a nerve under the skin. The Shingles rash itself looks like small red spots and reddened skin in the same area that eventually turn into small blisters. The blisters dry up after a few days, forming scabs that leave a small pockmark in the skin when they fall off.
Shingles is considered to be an intensely painful condition because the virus affects the nerves. The pain may even linger and continue long after the rash has cleared up. This pain could go on for weeks, months or even years. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia and is more likely to occur in older people and those who had a severe outbreak from the rash.
What causes Shingles?
Although the reasons are not fully understood, any weakening of the body’s immune system can cause the Varicella zoster virus to “reawaken” and appear in adulthood as shingles. Conditions that may weaken the systems include aging, HIV/AIDS, colds, cancer, organ transplants, long term courses of steroids, various medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, stress or excessive alcohol intake.
It is important to note that shingles is not a new infection; it is a second outbreak of the chicken pox virus. For whatever reasons, the herpes zoster virus wakes up from the dormant state and grows. Once active, the germs travel along the nerve paths to the skin, and the result is the aching rash of shingles.
Will Painwave X4000 Help with Shingles?
Definitely! The Painwave X4000 is revolutionary, non-invasive, drug-free method of pain relief for the treatment of shingles. What is most amazing about the device is that the Painwave X4000 works in concert with the body’s own bioelectromagnetic ecosystem. The astounding Painwave X4000 has no side effects, and is utilized by moving the unit gently over the surface of the skin in a small circular motion. After a short period of time, the Painwave X4000 stimulates improved circulation, cell activity and lymphatic movements, all of which are beneficial in the relief of pain and other discomforts. In many cases, this stimulation will greatly reduce or eliminate pain for good.
Note: The medical info on this page should not be used to treat or diagnose a disease. If you have any questions regarding Shingles, contact your primary care physicians for full evaluations.