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Bee Stings—A Remedy for Postherpetic Neuralgia? A Case Report
  1. James E. Janik, M.D.,
  2. Lana Wania-Galicia, M.D. and
  3. Donna Kalauokalani, M.D., M.P.H.
  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
  1. Reprint requests: James E. Janik, M.D., Department of Anesthesiology and Pain, Lawrence J. Ellison Ambulatory Care Center, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3020, Sacramento, CA 95817. E-mail: james.janik{at}chw.edu

Abstract

Objective: This case report describes the effects of bee stings on painful postherpetic neuralgia in a 51-year-old man.

Case Report: The patient was stung by 3 bees in the distribution in which he had been experiencing postherpetic neuralgia. One day after the bee stings, the patient's painful postherpetic neuralgia was completely relieved, and the relief lasted for 1 and a half months. Subsequently, the patient's pain returned, but at significantly less intensity and frequency than what he had experienced prior to the bee stings.

Conclusions: Bee venom and bee sting therapy have been shown to have both antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain why the bee stings relieved the patient's postherpetic neuralgia. Bee sting or bee venom therapy should be further investigated as a potential treatment modality for postherpetic neuralgia.

  • Postherpetic neuralgia
  • Bee sting
  • Apitherapy
  • Treatment
  • Bee venom
  • Neuropathic pain

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