Pain Remedies for Shingles

The main line of defense against shingles pain is controlling the virus with antiviral drugs while administering corticosteroids to reduce nerve inflammation and damage (shingles affects nerves directly). Other pain control methods include both topical and ingested analgesics; for some people, more involved pain management may be necessary, especially if the pain associated with shingles does not clear up along with the rash (postherpetic neuralgia).

Antivirals and Corticosteroids

• Antiviral drugs like acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir are the element of shingles treatment that targets the cause of symptoms: the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Combining antiviral drugs with corticosteroids is an effective and important pain-relief technique that, according to the Mayo Clinic, may reduce one's chances of developing postherpetic neuralgia.

Analgesics

• Depending on the severity of pain an individual experiences during active shingles outbreak, different analgesics will be used. For those who experience mild to moderate pain, over-the-counter pain relief may be appropriate, while those who experience severe pain may be prescribed narcotic (opiate-containing) pain relievers, according to Seth John Stankus, MAJ, MC, et al.

Topical Relief

• Topical relief for shingles includes the administration of calamine, capsaicin and lidocaine patches. Calamine can be administered while shingles sores are still open, while capsaicin should be applied after they have begun to clear, according to Stankus, et al.

Postherpetic Neuralgia

• When shingles pain persists after the rash has cleared up, a number of additional measures may be taken for pain relief. These include, according to the Mayo Clinic, the use of tricylic antidepressants and anticonvulsants, peripheral and spinal nerve stimulation (with electrodes), and corticosteroid injections along with the continued use of narcotic pain relievers and lidocaine patches.