Ayurvedic Treatment for Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

What is the Herpes Zoster (Shingles)?

The viral infection that is caused by the reactivation of the VZV i.e. varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, is known as herpes zoster (Shingles). This infection presents in the individual as painful blisters, burning sensations, rashes, fatigue, tingling sensations, etc. on one side of the body, particularly in the dermatome (nerve pathway). This virus remains in a dormant state in the nerve cell after recovering from the chickenpox disease and reactivates in later life especially when immunity is low in the body.

What is the Herpes Zoster (Shingles) – As Per Ayurveda?

Herpes Zoster, according to Ayurveda, can be closely correlated with a condition caused by the aggravation of Pitta dosha i.e. Pittaja Visarpa based on symptoms. The symptoms such as burning sensation (Daha), redness (Raga), pain (Toda), and rapid spread of eruptions resemble the classical features of Visarpa.

It can also be correlated with Kaksha, a disease described in Ayurvedic texts as affecting the area between the axilla (Axilla) and flanks, involving severe pain and rashes which is very similar to the dermatomal distribution seen in shingles.

Along with this, it is also correlated with Rakta Pradoshaja Vikara the disease which is caused due to vitiation of blood, and Pittaja Kshudra Roga which are minor ailments caused by Pitta imbalance in the body, due to its involvement of skin, blood, and Pitta dosha. 

Why Does Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Affect One Side of the Body?

Typically, Herpes zoster affects only one side of the body because this virus reactivates from a specific nerve ganglion of the body, which supplies a particular area of skin innervated by that nerve (dermatome) as it remains in a dormant phase on that particular dermatome.

When the virus becomes active again, especially in individuals with low immunity, it travels along the same nerve fibers of that single ganglion, leading to the one-sided blister formation, burning sensation, rashes, and pain.

Who Gets Affected by Herpes Zoster (Shingles)?

Anyone who had a previous infection of chicken pox can be affected by Herpes zoster as the virus remains in their body and may react at any time later in their life. However, certain groups are at higher risk like individuals over 50 years old as with age their immune system weakens.

Patients with conditions like AIDS, HIV, or patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment, chemotherapy, etc. are more susceptible to being affected by shingles. Stress and lifestyle factors like irregular sleep patterns, etc. may also contribute to the reactivation of the chicken pox virus. Along with this family history of having herpes zoster also increases the chances of having this infection.

How Common is Herpes Zoster (Shingles)?

Most people have shingles once in their lifetime, but herpes zoster can reoccur more than once. 30 % of the population have a lifetime risk of having herpes zoster. As per the data, one out of 3 people in the US are affected by shingles and each year less than 100 people die due to herpes zoster.

Shingles can also occur in children, but they are not as common as in adults. Approximately 10-18% of individuals who suffer from shingles have complication PHN also known as post-herpetic neuralgia.
In one French study, approximately 15% of the cause of death in the shingles are due to HZ encephalitis which was identified as the second most frequent cause of death. In Asia, North America, and Europe, the incidence of shingles is estimated to be 3-5 per 1000 people per year. Recent studies suggested around 705 cases per million of shingles annually in India. 45 years of age. This helps to prevent genital warts and HPV-related cancers.