Vitamin C for Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Question:
Can vitamin C reduce the pain of shingles?

Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Initial Posting: 5/17/2018    Last Update: 5/17/2018

Answer:
Having low blood levels of vitamin C is associated with an increased risk post-herpetic neuralgia — the nerve pain that can persist after an outbreak of shingles (Herpes zoster). There is also evidence that intravenous vitamin C can help reduce the incidence and intensity of post-herpetic nerve pain. But, so far, there do not appear to be studies on the effects of vitamin C supplements on shingles pain.

For more about what vitamin C may or may not do, see the What It Does section of the Vitamin C Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks among vitamin C supplements.) 

Also see our Encyclopedia article about other proposed natural treatments for Shingles.

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