Shingles and Natural Remedies for Shingles Pain

Shingles pain can be distressing. Fortunately, most people who get shingles only experience it once. But others have a come back. There is no cure for shingles, but there are antibiotics that can speed the healing process. Adults age 50 and older can get the shingles vaccine to help prevent initial infection in high-risk groups.

Conventional medicine is not the only way to treat shingles and prevent future infections. Naturopaths and doctors agree that shingles treatment can help relieve discomfort and relapses. If you are someone who prefers alternative ways to treat the condition, this article provides information on the best shingles treatment options.

What causes shingles?

Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It’s the same virus that causes the common cold. People who have had measles can have the virus for years. Doctors don’t know why, but about 1 in 3 people who have measles later develop shingles.

How common is shingles?

Many people only think about pneumonia when it affects them personally. Shingles is actually more common than you think. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 million people suffer from chronic pain and inflammation each year. Anyone who has had measles (even a mild one 40 years ago) can get VZV again to cause shingles. Most Americans born before 1980 have had the flu and are at high risk for shingles. More than half of shingles cases occur in people over age 60.

The first sign of shingles is usually a burning or itchy rash on one side of your back. Some people experience burning or itching on the side of their face, near their eyes, or on their forehead. A few days after these warning signs appear, red, fluid-filled bumps will appear in the affected area. It can take several weeks for the blisters to appear.

Up to 1 in 10 people develop postherpetic neuralgia months or years after it started. It is one of the most common shingles disease. Age increases the risk of postherpetic neuralgia.

Can shingles occur more than once?

Unfortunately, yes. Shingles can reoccur in some people, but doctors don’t know exactly what makes one person more susceptible to infection than another. Doctors initially thought the condition was rare, but now they know that it occurs in more than 5 percent of people with shingles. Your risk of getting a second infection increases as you get older.

Doctor’s advice for shingles

Most doctors recommend the shingles vaccine to prevent the first outbreak. Clinical studies have shown that the shingles vaccine is about 85% effective in the first four years after vaccination. The CDC has determined that the best protection is achieved by people who receive two doses of the vaccine with the recommended 2 to 6 months between doses. The CDC says that although shingles can occur, symptoms are less severe in vaccinated adults.

Doctors often treat shingles with a vaccine specifically designed to fight the varicella-zoster virus. Medications that aim to relieve the pain and itching associated with shingles. There is no cure for shingles, only treatments to relieve the symptoms.

Some doctors also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Sometimes doctors prescribe narcotics or steroids to treat pain and antibiotics to reduce itching. All medications work best if started within two days of the first symptom appearing.

Natural Treatment for Shingles

When used correctly, shingles treatments are similar to over-the-counter and prescription medications. These alternative treatments can not only reduce the pain of shingles, but they can also boost your immune system and help prevent future infections. Here are some good treatments for shingles that can provide immediate results.

• Use calamine lotion, calendula cream, and Aveeno body wash to reduce itching and discomfort from the blisters that appear in hives.
• Do not scratch the blisters because they can become infected if they burst. Antibiotics may be needed and the skin may scar.
• Try Herbal Shingles Pain Relief Roll-On to relieve extreme discomfort and itching. Patients suffering from postherpetic neuralgia can find the best anti-inflammatory medications or the perfect beads for temporary relief at Premiere.
• Lidocaine skin patches may also help relieve shingles, but they are used only four times a day.
• If you can’t find rental equipment in your area, rent or purchase a TENS unit. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) relieves nerve pain by sending small, painless electrical pulses through your skin. It has been shown to be effective in treating the nerve pain associated with shingles.
• Cool showers can reduce the pain of shingles. Soaking in a tub of cool water for a few minutes can help reduce itching and irritation. Do not use cold water as this can make the pain worse. Make sure you dry the skin thoroughly afterwards to prevent further drying. Any towels that get in contact with blisters should be washed immediately to prevent the infection from spreading to others. If you don’t want to soak in the tub, you can apply a cold pack or ice to the affected area for up to 20 minutes.
• Spraying apple cider vinegar on the affected area can reduce joint pain and help control itching. Do not use undiluted apple cider vinegar on the area. Make sure to mix one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water. Alternatively, you can add half a cup of apple cider vinegar directly to your bathwater.
• Take anti-depressants such as St. John’s wort. Studies show that increasing serotonin levels in your brain can reduce your perception of pain. This is especially helpful for patients with postherpetic neuralgia or shingles pain that lasts two weeks or months.
  Shingles is a serious illness. If you think you have shingles, call your doctor before using any natural remedies.

Natural remedies to prevent shingles outbreak

If you were born before 1980, your risk of developing shingles is unfortunately high. Vaccination can help prevent a first outbreak of the disease, but it will not prevent a second or third infection in the future. Proper treatment for shingles can reduce your risk of developing shingles again.

1. Boost your immune system

Taking the right amount of probiotics can improve your immune system and prevent varicella-zoster. Opting for a liquid gel capsule version like Bio-K+ is your best bet. Also consider adding probiotic foods to your diet, such as kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut.

     2. Regular physical exercise

Having stable white blood cells can help prevent the varicella-zoster virus from coming back into your body. White blood cells are part of the lymphatic system. They travel through your body looking for foreign invaders like bacteria and if they catch a foreign invader, they kill it off against your immune system. Studies show that exercise helps increase your white blood cell count.

     3. Take vitamin C supplements

Vitamin C does not directly prevent shingles. However, it may reduce your risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. Studies show that people who are deficient in vitamin C during a shingles infection are more likely to get sick.

     4. Try natural tranquilizers

Psychological stress is a major factor in shingles recurrence because it weakens the body. It is nearly impossible to eliminate all stress from your life. Use an inhaler like the RELAX Pocket Inhaler to calm nerves and ease anxiety. RELAX uses the power of aromatherapy to naturally relieve stress.

Bottomline

Shingles can be annoying, but there are steps you can take to prevent shingles. Get the shingles vaccine and keep your immune system strong. If you’re unlucky enough to host these unwelcome guests, shingles treatment can help keep shingles under control until the rash ends.