What Vitamins Are Beneficial for Shingles?
Disease description:
I am 36 years old this year. I was recently diagnosed with herpes zoster (shingles) during a hospital visit. My doctor advised me to supplement vitamins. Which vitamins are beneficial for herpes zoster?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
After developing herpes zoster, patients may benefit from taking certain vitamins, such as vitamin B1 and vitamin B12. Herpes zoster is a common viral skin disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), typically presenting as unilateral, clustered vesicles accompanied by prominent neuropathic pain. A hallmark of herpes zoster is neural involvement: the VZV remains latent in dorsal root ganglia; when host immunity declines, the virus reactivates, replicates, and proliferates within the ganglia, leading to ganglionic degeneration, necrosis, and damage to surrounding nerve fibers—resulting in significant neuropathic pain. Patients are advised to maintain proper skin care, ensure local hygiene, avoid scratching the affected areas with hands, and thereby prevent secondary bacterial infection.
