Shingles

Shingles

Other Names : Herpes zoster
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who's had chickenpox may develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus can enter your nervous system and lie dormant for years. Eventually, it may reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to your skin — producing shingles.
See also :

• Chickenpox
• Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of shingles usually affect only a small section of one side of your body. These signs and symptoms may include:

• Pain, burning, numbness or tingling
• Sensitivity to touch
• A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
• Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
• Itching

Home remedies

While the virus may be self-limiting, it is important that you have ways and means to stay comfortable throughout the uncomfortable period of illness. What are some of the natural remedies that could help you recover and deal with the itch? Here are 7 natural treatment remedies to help you or your loved one get through Shingles.

• Cool Wet Compresses : Applying cool, wet compresses will help lessen your pain and itch. This will help you find relief from the symptom of pain. You apply this when necessary or whenever you feel like you cannot anymore tolerate the pain and itch. This will also help clean your body which is very important when you have shingles, so as to prevent the blisters in your body from being infected.
• Oatmeal or starch baths :Oatmeal and starch baths can also relieve you from the discomfort of the pain brought about by the ulcers and itchiness on your body. Colloidal Oatmeal bath is also good for other itchy conditions such as eczema, sunburn and even dry skin. Not only does this help relieve the symptom of itchiness, it will also leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and moisturized.
• Capsaicin Lotion : Capsaicin Lotion contains the main component of cayenne pepper, an element which makes cayenne pepper hot. This is applied to the blisters and will help soothe you from the itchiness and also with the discomfort.
• Amylase, combined with certain herbs, relieves herpes of any kind, including canker sores, genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox. Combined with certain skin-healing herbs, it can heal acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
• Apple Cider Vinegar : Apple Cider Vinegar is not only good for cooking and for salads but is also good as a natural remedy for certain ailments and skin conditions such as shingles. Applying it on your skin over the blister will also relieve you from the itchiness, the pain and the discomfort. This can also help your blisters heal fast.
• Aloe Vera Juice : If you have aloe vera planted in your garden, you may use the plant to manage shingles. Fresh aloe vera juice is good for your sun burnt skin since it hydrates your skin and it has a naturally cooling effect on your body – and this is true when it comes to shingles. If you apply an ample amount onto your skin with blisters, this becomes one of your quick fix remedy. As a result, this alleviates you from the pain and itch that you feel. Not only is this a natural remedy but this is also a cheap alternative if you can’t afford to buy topical pain relievers. Not only did you save money but you also saved yourself from the pain and discomfort.
• Vitamin B12 : Taking Vitamin B-complex or Vitamin B12 is good for your health especially for your nerves. Like the ones mentioned above, this will help you from the pain and it will also help with the drying of the crusts as this promotes healing of the rash associated with shingles. Vitamin B has been known to help strengthen the function of the immune system thereby and promote cell growth. It has also been implicated in healthy, glowing skin.
• Vitamin C : When you are sick, it is but natural for you to ingest foods that will help you get through and help you boost your immune system. Vitamin C is the most popular among all the other Vitamins in terms of boosting the immune system. It also helps with the absorption of other elements such as iron. There are vitamin C supplements in the market, but this particular type of vitamin can be found in the foods that we eat. Examples of foods that are abundant in vitamin C include sweet potatoes, berries, peppers, Brussels sprouts, orange, cauliflower, and honeydew.
• Liquorice May be used as a topical antiviral agent for shingles, ophthalmic, oral or genital herpes.
• Ranunculus bulbosus is considered the Rolls Royce of homeopathic remedies for the treatment of shingles, according to homeopath, Stephen Messer, N.D. Ranunculus is indicated for shingles when the rash is deeply inflamed accompanied with stabbing pains primarily on the ribcage. The eruptions are often bluish in color.
• Rhus-tox is one of the more common remedies employed for the treatment of shingles. If Ranunculus is the Rolls Royce, then Rhus tox is the Cadillac of remedies that relieves the fearsome itching and pains accompanying this condition. The rash consists of small, red fluid-filled vesicles or blisters that break when scratched, spreading the infection. The individual will mostly likely be restless, changing positions often seeking relief. Shingles will appear primarily on the left side of the body. Hot baths and warm compresses bring temporary relief.
• Iris versicolor is indicated when the rash is worse on the right side of the abdomen and under the right arm. Shingles are often accompanied by abdominal upset or problems with the pancreas.
• Arsenicum Album is indicated when the patient experiences terrible burning pains along the nerve pathway. Pains are often made better with the application of warm compresses. The individual may be restless, anxious, thirsty for cold drinks, and afraid to be alone.
• Clematis erectus alleviates shingles pain that features burning, red blisters that become aggravated at night time and with the application of cold water. There may be urinary tract complaints during an attack of shingles, more clearly indicating the use of this remedy.
• Apis mellifica is indicated for treatment of shingles when the rash is bright pink, swollen, itchy and produces stinging pains made better by cool compresses and aggravated by warmth.
• Mezereum is indicated for a shingles rash where the blisters are oozing, bright red and made worse by hot applications. The rash is often accompanied by terrible itching made better with the application of cool compresses.
• Staying well hydrated and doing frequent exercise are also important.
• Eat a well-balanced diet : People who suffer from shingles have problems with digesting foods and absorbing nutrients. And that is the reason why proper planning of one’s meal is also crucial. It is important to consume foods that are high in protein in order to help the body health.
• Like any other disease condition, people who experience this must rest in order to regain back their health rapidly and also to achieve optimum level of recuperation.
• Healing Saints : St. Anthony the Abbot

Complications of shingles: Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN)

Some patients have been shown to experience persistent or recurrent pain, known as PHN. This is the most common complication of shingles and is categorized as the persistence of pain exceeding 90 days after the onset of rash, owing to nerve damage. PHN Is also triggered by stimuli that include stress; although psychological variables are known to trigger shingles and PHN includes personality psychopathology, hypochondriasis, and somatic symptoms. Overall, psychological stress is likely to exert its deleterious impact via the action on the immune system. These effects on immunity can explain the associations between psychological stress in the development of shingles and his complication PHN. To determine the role of the specific psychiatric disorders on immunity, further research is necessary and their potential to contribute to the development of either shingles or PNH.

Warnings

This reactivated, more virulent form of varicella virus can damage nerves enough to develop into postherpetic neuralgia, which rephrased in layperson's language is "after herpes came intense nerve pain." Acute and chronic peripheral nerve pain may exist in the areas where the shingles skin lesions are located. The consequences can be lethal.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.