A Case Report on the Homoeopathic Management of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

Background & Objectives: Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic neuropathic pain following herpes zoster, often persisting for months and significantly affecting quality of life. Conventional treatment may provide incomplete relief. This case report highlights the role of individualized homoeopathic treatment in PHN. Case Summary: A 46-year-old female presented with burning, itching, and neuropathic pain over the left thoracic region one month after herpes zoster. Symptoms were aggravated by undressing and temporarily relieved by scratching, with residual hyperpigmentation. Initial treatment with Sulphur (0/3 and 0/6) offered only mild improvement. Detailed case-taking revealed emotional stress, including disappointed love, suppressed grief, and silent suffering, alongside characteristic food cravings and thermally hot constitution. Intervention: Based on the totality of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms, Natrum muriaticum 1M, single dose, was prescribed, followed by Rubrum pills. Results: Within two weeks, the patient reported complete relief from itching and burning, resolution of pain, and improvement in hyperpigmentation. Objective assessment using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) demonstrated a reduction in pain from 8/10 to 0/10. Photographic evidence confirmed complete healing of post-herpetic lesions. Conclusion: Individualized constitutional homoeopathic treatment may be effective in managing post-herpetic neuralgia, particularly when conventional therapy is inadequate. Remedy selection based on the totality of symptoms resulted in complete symptomatic relief, emphasizing the importance of individualized prescribing in chronic neuropathic conditions.