Shingles
Shingles is a viral condition that presents itself with an outward rash that is known to cause extreme pain in some people. It can produce a band of blisters that appear from the middle of the back around to the chest. These blisters may also appear on the face, neck and even scalp. Also known as herpes zoster, shingles is caused by the very same virus responsible for chicken pox. The Chickenpox virus can reactivate later in life and cause a shingles outbreak. The shingles rash can occur on any part of your body but typically only affects small areas. It may take from 2 weeks to several months for your body to clear the virus and heal completely. Home remedies may help to alleviate the symptoms but there is no cure available for shingles and a doctor might be able to help reduce the symptoms by prescribing an antiviral.
The symptoms of shingles include:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Extreme pain
- Rash
- Fluid-filled blisters
- Fever
- Chills
- Stomach pain
- Headaches
Itching is also a common symptom of shingles.
Risk factors for shingles include previous exposure to chicken pox and age. This condition most commonly presents in people over the age of 60. Because stress affects the immune system, many researchers believe that stress could also be a trigger for shingles. Chronic, daily stress can wear down a persons immune system allowing the reactivation of the original chicken pox virus that is laying dormant in the body.
Shingles can also present in people who suffer from weakened immune systems due to other conditions such as multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS.
Although an outbreak of shingles generally only lasts a few weeks and will remedy itself over time, medical intervention is often called for though simple home remedies can be helpful.
Since the pain can be quite extreme, symptomatic treatments are often suggested.
To get rid of shingles and its symptoms, many turn to natural cures, which can prove very useful.
Natural Cures for Shingles
There are a variety of natural cures for shingles that can lessen symptoms and sometimes remove them. They range from over-the-counter medications to herbal treatments. Learning how to remove shingles symptoms might not be completely feasible, but home remedies can make a difference in severity.
Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can reduce pain and assist with swelling.
This home remedy is commonly suggested by medical professionals for managing shingles’ symptoms.
Anti-Itch Creams
Calamine lotion and other anti-itch creams can be used topically as a home remedy for the symptoms of shingles. In most cases, hydrocortisone and antihistamine products can have a beneficial effect.
You can make a homemade remedy using a paste made of baking soda and water to naturally relieve irritation and itching caused by a shingles rash.
- Pour two parts baking soda into a bowl.
- Add one part water to get the desired consistency for the paste.
- Apply the mixture to your rash for 10 minutes
- Rinse it off
- Repeat several times a day as needed.
Bathing
Washing the blisters with plain soap and water can assist in lessening the symptoms.
It is also often recommended that people with shingles use compresses of white vinegar and water directly on the rash.
Oatmeal baths can also help as a natural cure to lessen itching. Pour about 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal into lukewarm bathwater and soak for about 20 minutes. Lukewarm water is best as hot water can further aggravate the skin by increasing swelling to delicate tissue
Lemon
This home remedy for shingles calls for making a tea of dried lemon leaves and water. This is then applied directly to the rash.
St. John’s Wort
This herb can reduce tension that can go along with the pain of shingles and help as an anti-viral agent, as well.
Herbal Medicines to Promote Healing
Other natural medicines can help to promote health and healing. These include:
- St. John’s Wort
- Oregano oil
- Echinacea
- Lemon balm green tea
- Essential fatty acids
