Find Natural Remedies for Shingles

Find Natural Remedies for Shingles
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Causes of Shingles

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the chickenpox virus (varicella virus - a member of the herpes viruses). After having chickenpox, the virus will lie dormant in the spinal column. Years later, the virus can resurrect and travel along nerve pathways causing shingles.

Shingles is more common in adults over 60 and in people with weak immune systems such as those with HIV or those receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation.

The virus can be passed on to others who haven’t had chickenpox through direct contact of open sores. Once exposed, the individual will develop chickenpox and not shingles.

The virus can not be passed on to people who have a history of chickenpox and a normal immune system.

Symptoms of Shingles

Excruciating pain, extreme sensitivity, burning, and tingling can occur along the pathway as the nerves become inflamed from the virus.

After a few days, a rash will appear over the affected area. Rashes typically occur only on one side, generally on the trunk. The face, neck, scalp, and buttocks are other areas that can be affected.

Blisters form, eventually break open, and crust over. Once this happens, the rash usually disappears in 1-2 weeks.

Other symptoms of shingles include headache, fever and chills, itching, and upset stomach.

Shingles normally causes more pain and less itching than chickenpox.

About 1 in 5 people with shingles continue to have pain for a long time (even years) after the blisters clear. This is called postherpetic neuralgia.

Shingles can lead to complications such as encephalitis, blindness, hearing problems, or loss of facial movement depending on the affected area.

Natural Remedies for Shingles

There is no cure for shingles but there are ways to help relieve pain and itching and speed up the healing process naturally.

In a German study, proteolytic enzymes were shown to relieve pain just as well as acyclovir (an antiviral medication). Papaya and pineapple contain these enzymes.

Aloe vera can soothe pain, itching, and burning. Apply every few hours.

According to Frank L. Greenway, M.D., medical director, Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 100% geranium oil applied to the affected area has been shown to dramatically relieve pain in individuals who found no relief from standard pain medications.

Lysine may help stop the spread of the virus.

Stress aggravates the symptoms of shingles. Deep breathing and yoga are a couple of good ways to calm nerves and reduce stress.

Boost your immune system by eating healthy and taking a multivitamin. Vitamin C is especially helpful.

Other natural remedies for shingles include:

Mix oatmeal with water to form a paste and apply it to the rash. This can help relieve itching and soothe the burning sensation.

Dab some apple cider vinegar on the blisters a few times each day. This will provide pain relief and help with the healing process.

Mix 10 parts of olive oil with 1 part tea tree oil, warm it, and apply to the affected area 2-3 times a day to help relieve pain.

Peppermint oil can cause a mild numbing effect when applied to the skin. Avoid if you have extremely sensitive skin.

Eat pears or drink pear juice. Pears are rich in antiviral caffeic acid which help fight the virus.

Additional Information about Shingles

  • Avoid scratching the rash and do not break open the blisters.
  • If you have shingles, avoid contact with newborns and pregnant women until blisters scab over.
  • Two vaccines are available which may help prevent chickenpox (varicella virus) and shingles (varicella-zoster virus).

Disclaimer

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