This Time It Was Shingles Lovely But At Least Then I Could Figure This One Out For You Too: The Best Natural Remedies For Shingles That Work
Yep, that’s my back in the picture above, you even get a peek at my owl pajamas, ha! I had shingles a few months ago and I’m just now finding the time to tell you about it. I’ll share some of what I wrote in my daily notes to keep track of what was happening.
It began as quite the mystery nothing was making sense at first
When Should You Call Your Doctor
If you think you have shingles, see a doctor as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medicines may help reduce pain and prevent complications of shingles, such as disseminated zoster or post-herpetic neuralgia.
A rash or blisters on your face, especially near an eye or on the tip of your nose, can be a warning of eye problems. Treatment can help prevent permanent eye damage.
If you still feel intense pain for more than 1 month after the skin heals, see your doctor to find out whether you have post-herpetic neuralgia . Getting your pain under control right away may prevent nerve damage that may cause pain that lasts for months or years.
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Apply A Baking Soda Solution To Relieve Irritated Skin
Another common remedy for itching thats easily available at home is baking soda. Add a little baking soda to a glass of water and apply the solution to relieve irritated skin. You can also try adding some baking soda to your bath water.15 Although its not clear how exactly baking soda works, its alkaline nature is supposed to be at work here.
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Treating Shingles Naturally Through Diet
Shingles can be triggered or worsened by a weakened immune system. That is why dietary changes that strengthen the immune system can help prevent shingles from worsening or spreading across your body.To promote healing, we recommend that you eat foods that include the vitamins A, B-12, C, E and the amino acid lysine.Chinese medicine believes that foods that create heat and dampness in the body, such as alcohol, sugar, spicy food and seafood, can worsen the symptoms of shingles. We recommend that you avoid these foods if you have been suffering from this condition.
Blazing Fire In The Liver
The skin lesions are red, hot and filled with fluid. You experience a burning sensation that resembles pinpricks. In such a situation, the person is usually hot and irritable and may experience a dry mouth and an intense thirst.In this pattern of shingles, you may have been suffering from a long period of emotional stress or pushing yourself to do too much work.Our acupuncturists will probably recommend that you withhold from consuming sugar and alcohol and improve your diet in general.Related shingles treatment will focus on clearing the blockage of Qi in your liver and draining heat from your body. You may also be treated to reduce inflammation and associated stress and boost your immune system.
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Possible Reasons For My Outbreak
I felt very confused as to what triggered the outbreak I had. I had been off work for 4 months due to the coronavirus, recently returned from a vacation and was being even more intentional with my lifestyle and food choices to make sure I was optimizing my health and well being.
However, about 2 weeks after healing from shingles, I tested positive for Covid-19, although my only symptom was a stuffy nose. It makes me wonder whether I had Covid in my body weeks before and it had caused the shingles break out, but I will probably never know for sure!
Why Not Take The Shingles Medicines From Your Doctor
My favorite homeopath, Joette Calabrese, is convinced that shingles and MOST other health issues are milder and do not recur when you dont use the conventional meds. Those are what makes it more intense or what causes it to last for a year for some people!
You have shingles> your doc gives you an antiviral medicine.
You have asthma> he puts you on an inhaler.
You have eczema> you go on steroids.
You have anxiety> he puts you on the meds and now you’re STUCK.
Now you’ll get everything worse and it’ll last longer!
Often, homeopathy can work in spite of allopathic drugs, but not so well when it comes to shingles. It is my experience that if drugs are begun, homeopathys ability to clear the case is hampered.
I’m convinced I had such a mild case because I didn’t take any shingles medications.
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Acupuncture For The Treatment Of Shingles Pain
Acupuncture can effectively improve shingles as it focuses on the holistic treatment of every individuals patients own symptoms and physical and mental constitution.There are three key patterns of shingles identified in traditional Chinese medicine. Our acupuncturists will determine which pattern of shingles you are suffering from and choose the corresponding acupuncture points to treat the underlying energy imbalance.Because acupunctureis a holistic form of shingles treatment, you can also use it to strengthen your immune system to help fight off the virus and treat other symptoms you may be experiencing, such as nausea or headaches.
When Should I Get The Shingles Vaccine
The current shingles vaccine is a safe, easy, and more effective way to prevent shingles than the previous vaccine. In fact, it is over 90% effective at preventing shingles. Most adults age 50 and older should get vaccinated with the shingles vaccine, which is given in two doses. You can get the shingles vaccine at your doctors office and at some pharmacies.
You should get the shingles vaccine if you:
- Have already had chickenpox, the chickenpox vaccine, or shingles
- Received the prior shingles vaccine called Zostavax
- Dont remember having had chickenpox
Medicare Part D and private health insurance plans may cover some or all of the cost. Check with Medicare or your health plan to find out if it is covered.
You should not get vaccinated if you:
- Currently have shingles
- Are sick or have a fever
- Had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of the shingles vaccine
If you are unsure about the above criteria or have other health concerns, talk with your doctor before getting the vaccine.
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Steroids Can Sometimes Help
Dr. Auwaerter notes that some older research done in the early 2000s supports the use of the steroid prednisone taken with an antiviral for short-term shingles pain relief, as well as a decreased risk of developing the more serious PHN. Steroids may be especially beneficial for people over 50, who are at higher risk for PHN. However, they can increase your risk of immunosuppression over time, so theyre generally used for shingles for just one to two weeks. If youre trying this approach, work closely with your doctor to manage the appropriate dosing.
Apply Capsaicin Ointment For Pain Relief
Capsaicin, a component found in red pepper, can ease the pain caused by shingles. This compound depletes a neurotransmitter called substance P. which helps transmit pain signals to your brain.
Ointments with capsaicin are available in the market. You can also mix a pinch of powdered red pepper with plain skin ointment to make one at home. However, do keep in mind that its not a good idea to use capsaicin ointments on broken skin. Also, application of the ointment can cause burning and itching the first few times. Do a patch test before using to ensure your skin doesnt react adversely to it.1112
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Oatmeal Bath For Shingles
Medical professionals approve the use of soothing baths to help treat shingles at home. Soothing baths such as starch baths are used. Oatmeal baths can relieve itching and discomfort while the rash is healing.
To take an oatmeal bath, prepare a bath filled with lukewarm water and mix in ground oatmeal. Soak in the tub for 5 to 10 minutes, then dry yourself completely using a pat-dry method. This may help relieve itching and irritation.
Use An Apple Cider Vinegar Compress To Dry Up Blisters
Apple cider vinegar has been traditionally used for tackling rashes caused by shingles and chickenpox. Apply a compress of apple cider vinegar diluted with an equal quantity of warm water or add 2 to 4 cups of apple cider vinegar to a tub of warm bath water and enjoy a long soak. The acidity of vinegar can help quicken the drying of blisters and ease itching. However, this remedy is not recommended on broken skin or open blisters.67
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Can I Treat Shingles Quickly At Home
> > Read Testimonials of Successfully Curing Shingles naturally, thousands of people have got rid of the varicella-zoster virus from their body permanently.
The reason responsible for acquiring shingles is the varicella-zoster virus. It is the same virus that earlier results in chickenpox. After it leads to chickenpox, the virus becomes latent and lodges in the nerve roots. It re-activates after a duration and causes shingles.
Shingles are commonly seen to strike those above 50 years of age or are immuno-suppressed for some reason, such as cancer medications. It might also result from severe physical/emotional stress that temporarily decreases the immune response.
About 3 4 days before the blisters forming, fever, or even gastrointestinal problems arise. The site on which shingles are likely to manifest begins paining and burning. Eventually, the blisters appear that result in extreme pain and burning sensation on reddened patches on the skin.
The blisters resulting from shingles are very contagious. After about four days, the blisters weep, dry, and scab. They later fall off naturally, and the rashes generally cease to exist after about two weeks. However, postherpetic neuralgia might develop on the site that results in extreme pain.
How are shingles conventionally managed?
Conventional management of shingles involves,
Fortified calamine lotion also offers relief.
Essential fatty acids sourced from flaxseed oil complement the skins health.
Go With Gabapentin For Phn
If you do have the lasting nerve pain of PHN, some doctors will prescribe anti-seizure medications, including Neurontin or Lyrica . Even though they were developed as anti-seizure medicines, they can help modulate the nerve pain until the nerves can heal, Dr. Auwaerter explains. These treatments can reduce pain signaling from the nerves to the brain by calming your neurotransmitters for a short time. They are FDA-approved as an effective treatment for PHN. Like antivirals, they require frequent daily dosing, usually three times per day.
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Shingles Treatment Options: Medical And Natural Choices
So what to do about this viral infection that can often bring very severe burning pains?
The truth is that doctors are not too sure how the virus can be best taken care of because it is unknown exactly what causes to reactivate it. What we do know is that there is a direct correlation between individuals who have low immune systems with the occurrence of Shingles.
Therefore it would be very wise to help strengthen your immune system in order to prevent shingles from happening or to treat shingles itself.
Dont Skip Vaccines
First and foremost, always get vaccinated. Both the chickenpox vaccine and the shingles vaccine can dramatically reduce your risk for getting shingles and PHN. Shingles vaccine is recommended for people even if theyve had shingles before simply because they can get it again.
None of the following natural shingles treatment options are a replacement for these vaccines. They are simply alternative natural ways to treat shingles besides over the counter medicine products.
Medication
Although there is no cure for shingles, medical doctors may prescribe anti-viral drugs such as acyclovir in order to speed up healing and reduce the severity of the rash when taken within 3 days after the rash appears.
If you prefer the natural route, we are going to give you five natural shingles treatment choices anyone can do that also boosts your immune system.
Why Treat Shingles Naturally
I have great respect for modern medicine. There have been times in my life when prescription medication has been a lifesaver. However, with most things that are non-life threatening, I will always look for an alternative and more natural option first. I had also checked in with my doctor regarding the risks of not taking the prescribed medication, and in my case, there was a very low risk of any danger.
Acyclovir or Valacyclovir and a corticosteroid are generally offered for the treatment of shingles. I had two main problems with these.
First, the purpose of the conventional antiviral medication is to treat the symptoms of the virus and hopefully shorten its duration, but it doesnt actually work to cure. The medication must also be started within 72 hours to be most effective. After that, it may or may not have much effect. Also, as with any medication, there is a risk of unpleasant side-effects as well as a strain on the liver.
Two, steroids are an immunosuppressant. To take this medication seemed counterproductive. Shingles happens when a persons immune system is lowered, so instead of keeping it lowered with a steroid, I wanted to focus on doing things that boosted it back up and made it strong so I had the best chance of fighting the virus off.
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Antidepressants May Offer Surprising Relief
Antidepressants may have been invented for depression, but they are also known to modulate peripheral nerves, Dr. Auwaerter says, thereby dulling PHN pain. Your physician may suggest Pamelor or Aventyl or Elavil . Dr. Auwaerter adds that these medications can sometimes cause side effects like fatigue and sluggishnessthough PHN patients usually only need a low dose, which is unlikely to cause major adverse effects.
Could Remag Change Your Life Too
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Eight Natural Treatments For Shingles
If youve ever had chicken pox, the bad news is that the same virus that gave you those uncomfortable symptoms such as red spots, blisters, fever, and headache as a youngster is still lurking in your body, poised to possibly rear its ugly head sometime later in life in the form of painful shingles. The good news is that shingles are treatable, and some of those treatments are home remedies that can bring you relief and assist you in getting healed.
Are Shingles Contagious
Shingles are not as contagious as highly contagious chickenpox. Chickenpox can be inherited from the baby in their early months. However, shingles are contagious too. Youd better avoid exposing your virus to others.
Before treatment, you need to understand that shingles are a viral infection that can not be treated with antibiotics. Antiviral medication usually treats only rashes on the skin. However, you can remove the shingles and shingles pain with some natural home remedies. Here are the top 10 home remedies to get rid of shingles fast.
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How To Treat Shingles
This article was co-authored by Lydia Shedlofsky, DO. Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Masters Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 16 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 586,637 times.
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a distressing skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus . This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has had chickenpox, VZV stays in the body. Usually the virus causes no problems. However, now and again the virus reappears, causing nasty blisters called shingles. The following article will describe the treatments for shingles.
Dab Calendula Oil To Ease Itching And Promote Healing
Calendula or marigold is known for its healing properties. Homeopathy recommends the use of calendula oil or gel to relieve itching and encourage healing of blisters caused by chickenpox and shingles.8 Calendula has anti-inflammatory properties and has been found to quicken wound healing as well as improve the texture of skin. Flavonoids present in this herb are thought to be responsible for this effect.9
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Common Symptom Of Shingles
The most common symptom of shingles is red, itchy, and painful rashes, which are smallpox marks that often occur on the buttocks, lower back, neck, cheeks, trunk, or face. It can also spread to anywhere on your body.
The rashes come in patches, and this makes the rashes highly noticeable. When the rashes develop into blisters filled with fluid, you may feel extremely itchy and painful. The rashes may disappear completely within 5-6 weeks. Other common symptoms include fatigue, body pain, fever, headaches, dizziness, and sensitivity to light.