The Library Brands All Products for Encyclopedia Health Concerns Vitamins, Minerals, etc. Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia Shingles consists of a very painful rash that most often appears on one side of the body in a narrow band.
Shingles usually affects the elderly or people with compromised immune systems .
Nerve pain that persists after the rash has cleared is called postherpetic neuralgia. However, since these studies did not include a control group, the possibility of a placebo effect cannot be ruled out. Oral vitamin B12 supplements have not been tested, but they are not likely to be effective against postherpetic neuralgia. In addition, vitamin E at a concentration of 30 IU per gram can be applied to the skin. Several months of continuous vitamin E use may be needed in order to see an improvement.