shingles can be effectively treated using homeopathic remedies. next time youre willing to try anything to get relief try some ranunculus bulbosus or rhus toxicodendron along with some elderberry. I have seen my grandmother get pretty quick relief from debilitating pain from shingles using these. I have used them on some pretty rough viruses with my kids too, like hand foot mouth. elderberry alone worked like magic on my youngest son. great for the common cold too. something else that works for rashes, sores & bug bites etc is drawing a hot bath with about a dozen drops of tea tree oil.