Apple Cider Vinegar May Help Clear Up Your Skin
The acidity in vinegar can help clear skin and stop acne by drying out the blemishes and allowing for clear skin to take its place, explains Dr. Shapiro. Apple cider vinegar can also help regulate the pH levels in your skin, which keeps it at optimum levels between being oily and dry.
The right PH helps ensure that the outer layer of your skin, the acid mantle, is healthy.
To do, wash your face, then gently pat a washcloth soaked in diluted ACV over your skin. Its important to dilute the vinegar first, as it contains natural acids that may cause major irritation, even burns, if it is applied full strength to the skin, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. You may want to do a test patch first, especially if you have sensitive skin, by applying the diluted ACV on a small, discreet area, like behind your ear, then waiting 24 hours to check for redness, irritation, or tenderness.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Really Good Against Shingles
Is apple cider vinegar good for shingles? Easily one of the most debatable and underestimated questions related to shingles probably, among the appalling skin conditions.
To be honest, shingles are more about management than the treatment, as there is still no cure for this annoying infection. Your doctor may prescribe a combination of antiviral medication to reduce the severity of symptoms. And several home remedies can also reduce discomfort and pain.
ACV is also assumed as a very effective treatment for shingles, more by netizens than medical experts or researchers. Apple cider vinegar for shingles is a topic of debate, and the internet is flooded with a lot of content backing ACV as an effective home remedy for shingles. But what is reality?
In this article, we will tryto know in detail about shingles and apple cider vinegar. Also, we will findout whether ACV is good for the skin condition or not.
What is Shingles?
Also known as herpes zoster,shingles is a common viral infection characterized by painful red rashes. It iscaused by the Varicella Zoster virus, which is also responsible for causingchickenpox. If you developed chickenpox in childhood, the shingles virusremains dormant in your body. It can get reactive anytime to cause red,painful, itchy rashes at any part of the body, typically small and coveredparts.
How are Shingles Developed?
Risk Factors
Possible Complications
You may suffer from variousshingles complications even after rashes are gone, including:
What Are The Symptoms
Shingles symptoms usually occur in a small section of one side of the body as a red rash that appears after a few days of pain, burning, numbness, itching, or tingling. The rash may erupt into fluid-filled or crusty blisters. Some people also experience general aches, fever, and fatigue associated with shingles.
The following list of symptoms can be observed in shingles:
- Tingling, acute pain and itching on a certain part of the skin.
- After 1-5 days of pain, the rash begins to appear on the skin.
- An outbreak of blisters occurs.
- Blisters may merge to form a red band that looks like a severe burn.
- In some cases, a rash may appear on ears, face, eyes, and mouth.
- Inflammation can occur around the rash.
- In rare cases, a rash may be extensive and look like chickenpox rash.
- Blisters dry gradually within 7 to 10 days.
- A minor scar may appear after blister drying.
- Normally Shingles lasts for almost 2-4 weeks.
- In some cases, a rash might not be associated with pain or vice versa.
Other symptoms can include the following:
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Stomach problems
Shingles in people with an impaired immune system can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation or death.
Most people with shingles might not have complications but there is a possibility of following effects:
- Postherpetic neuralgia effects 10-20% percent of people with shingles
- In 5-10% cases, peripheral motor neuropathy can occur
- inflammation of the spinal cord or brain
- white patches in the rash area
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
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How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Treat Shingles
Shingles, a disease caused by the zoster virus responsible for the chicken pox, is a painful ailment that results in a blistery rash. Older adults or people with illnesses that weaken their immunities are more susceptible to the disease. Most often, someone will get shingles and never get it again. But unfortunately, this is not always the case. The virus can strike at any time, affecting a different part of your body. Natural remedies, like the apple cider vinegar shingles treatment, can help in a successful recovery.
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Soothing Lotions And Creams
Scratching a shingles rash may cause scarring and eliminate blisters. If itching doesnt enhance after a recovery tub, a cool compress, or a baking soda or cornstarch mixture, use soothing lotions and creams.
Natural remedies for shingles
Shingles is a viral disease that causes a painful rash. The varicella-zoster virus causes this viral disease. Its the same virus that causes chickenpox.
In the event that you had chickenpox as a child, the shingles virus lies dormant in the human body. The virus may reactivate later in life and cause a shingles rash. The rash may occur on any part of the body but normally only affects small sections.
Infection is usually the first symptom of shingles. The rash and fluid-filled blisters form in a few days following the onset of pain. Some individuals with shingles also have a fever, sensitivity to light, and fatigue.
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trusted Source, roughly 1 in 3 men and women in the United States will develop shingles at some time in their lifetime.
The shingles virus may last between two and six weeks. Shingles arent life-threatening, but some people today experience postherpetic neuralgia. This is when nerve fibers become damaged, causing shingles pain which lasts for weeks or months after the rash clears.
How Can I Ease The Pain Of Neuropathy
There are different ways you can ease the pain of neuropathy. These include:
Exercise Engaging in regular exercises, such as walking can help reduce neuropathy pain and improve muscle strength.
Over-the-counter pain relievers Taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen can help relieve neuropathic pain.
Opioids If over-the-counter pain relievers dont relieve your pain, taking medications containing opioids, such as tramadol or oxycodone can help relieve neuropathic pain. However, these medications are addictive and should be taken for a short time.
Anti-seizure medications Anti-seizure medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin may relieve nerve pain.
Antidepressants Taking tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, doxepin and nortriptyline can help relieve pain.
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Apple Cider Vinegar May Help Zap Toe Fungus
Although there are no clinical studies to support its effectiveness, apple cider vinegar has long been a popular home remedy for treating onychomycosis, aka toe fungus, a common condition that discolors and thickens the toenail. Apple cider vinegar can be a natural and effective treatment for toe fungus, Shapiro says. He advises treating toenail fungus at home with an apple cider vinegar footbath. Since apple cider vinegar is acidic, it works to create an unfriendly environment for the fungus without being so strong as to damage the surrounding area of skin and nails, he explains. To do, soak the affected toe in a 50:50 mix of ACV and warm water for 15 to 30 minutes, twice daily. Finish by drying the area thoroughly.
Some People Have A Greater Risk Of Getting Shingles This Includes People Who
- have illnesses that prevent their immune systems from functioning normally, such as human immunodeficiency virus and certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma
- receive medications that prevent their immune systems from functioning as they should, such as steroids and medications administered following organ transplantation.
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Is There Any Proof Apple Cider Vinegar Treats Herpes
Apple cider vinegar has taken on an almost mythical status in the natural health world, acting as a go-to cure for almost any digestion, skin or immune system condition. While there are studies that suggest apple cider vinegar contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, there’s literally zero evidence that it can help cure or treat herpes
Theres no cure for herpes, meaning that apple cider vinegar definitely cant rid your body of the virus. Despite this, apple cider vinegar enthusiasts claim that its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities make it a helpful tool for controlling the symptoms of a herpes outbreak.
ACV proponents recommend a variety of protocols for fighting back against herpes. Some users recommend ingesting apple cider vinegar orally, usually with a squeezed lemon and warm water to mute the strong taste. Others recommend putting apple cider vinegar on cold sores to areas with herpes sores. There are others who even go as far as to suggest ketchup on a cold sore, because if its vinegar content .
None of these anti-herpes protocols are supported by any scientific evidence. In fact, theres no scientific evidence at all to support the theory that apple cider vinegar is an antiviral substance, which would allow it to target and suppress the herpes virus in the body.
As such, its best think of apple cider vinegar as a health supplement, but not as a proven treatment option for HSV-1 or HSV-2.
Apple Cider Vinegar May Boost Weight Loss
According to Harvard Health, ACVs acetic acid has been shown to reduce the absorption of starches and slow digestion. But does this means that ACV could help with weight loss?
Yes, suggests a randomized clinical trial published in the April 2018 issue of the Journal of Functional Foods. Participants on a lower-calorie diet who drank 2 tablespoons of ACV diluted in water with lunch and dinner reported a decrease in appetite and lost 8.8 pounds over 12 weeks. Those who did not drink ACV lost only 5 pounds.
Another small study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the acetic acid in vinegar helped people who ate plain white bread at breakfast stay fuller longer than a control group.
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Can I Spray Apple Cider Vinegar On My Furniture
Apple cider vinegar can be used for cleaning purposes throughout the house, ranging from wiping down the kitchen to taking the dirt and grime off outdoor furnitureÐit can even be used on laundry. If harsh chemical smells bother you, consider putting apple cider vinegar to work instead of commercial cleaners.
Which Vitamins Aid In Repairing Nerve Damage
The capacity of B vitamins to maintain normal nervous system function is well documented. It has been discovered that vitamins B-1, B-6, and B-12 are particularly helpful for curing neuropathy. Vitamin B-6 maintains the covering on nerve terminals, while vitamin B-1, often known as thiamine, aids in the reduction of pain and inflammation. In fact, neuropathy can be brought on by a B-12 shortage because B-12 is also necessary for healthy neurological function. Eggs, seafood, fortified cereals, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and poultry all include b vitamins, as well as supplements.
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How Do You Sleep With Peripheral Neuropathy
The recommended sleeping patterns for people with peripheral neuropathy include:
Sleeping in a recliner position by sleeping on your side and bending your knee towards your chest.
Sleeping on the back and placing a pillow underneath the legs to make you more comfortable.
Sleeping on your side and placing a pillow between the thighs
Using Apple Cider Vinegar For Shingles
Several home remedy recipes online for relieving shingles pain using ACV can be found online.
Some popular options include applying ACV directly to the shingles rash, usually in combination with other ingredients like honey, or taking a bath that contains a small amount of ACV in the bathwater.
Reportedly, ACV can help relieve some of the painful stinging and itching of the shingles rash, as well as potentially help cleanse the rash and kill Herpes zoster, the virus that causes it.
Although some evidence suggests that ACV is antiviral, theres no proof that it can help kill Herpes zoster by applying it to your skin .
Additionally, theres no scientific evidence that ACV applied topically helps relieve pain or itching. However, this doesnt mean that it wont work for you.
Summary
ACV is sometimes used as a home remedy for pain caused by the shingles rash. Although it may work for some people, theres no scientific evidence to support its use.
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Can You Live A Normal Life With Peripheral Neuropathy
If peripheral neuropathy is not addressed on time, you may find it difficult to stand for long periods or walk without assistance. You may have problems with balance and you may have increased risk of falling. You may have increased sensitivity to heat and cold. You may find it difficult to do your daily tasks and activities.
What Is The Best Treatment For Peripheral Neuropathy
There are several different treatment options for peripheral neuropathy. However, the most common and effective treatment is the use of anti-seizure medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin. Another effective treatment is the use of certain tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, doxepin, duloxetine, and nortriptyline. These medications help relieve neuropathic pain by interfering with the chemical processes in your brain and spinal cord that are causing the pain.
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What Works Best For Shingles Treatment
several antiviral medications
There are medications like sacyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir available to treat shingles and lessen its duration and severity. If you begin using these medications as soon as the rash starts, they will work best. Contact your healthcare practitioner as soon as you suspect you have shingles to explore treatment options.
Taking painkillers, whether over-the-counter or on a doctors prescription, may help ease the discomfort brought on by shingles. Itching relief options include wet compresses, calamine lotion, and colloidal oatmeal baths .
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Shingles
1. Drink It
One of the apple cider vinegar shingles treatments is to drink a teaspoon twice a day. This helps speed up the healing of the blistery rash. This treatment is effective for most people, but should not be used for pregnant women. Pregnant women should avoid drinking apple cider vinegar if at all possible.
2. Apply It
Another way to use apple cider vinegar for treatment of shingles is to apply it topically to the affected area. Put 2 tablespoons of the vinegar into a small bowl. Using a cotton ball dipped in the liquid, apply it on the rash and blisters. This will suppress the virus, reducing the severity of the blisters and pain. For a quicker recovery, apply twice a day. You also have the option of taking a bath with apple cider vinegar added. Run a warm bath and add about one-fourth cup of the vinegar. Soak for 20-30 minutes to soothe your rash and promote healing. Repeat once a day until healed.
3. Use with Compress
Another apple cider vinegar shingles treatment is to use it with a compress. Doing so can alleviate pain and relieve itching. Soak a compress is a mixture of 2 cups of warm water and one-half cup of apple cider vinegar. Place it on the affected area of skin for 10-15 minutes. Repeat up to four times a day.
4. Combine with Manuka Honey
5. Use with Fruit Juice
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If Shingles Are Not Treated Will They Go Away
The varicella-zoster virus, sometimes known as shingles or herpes zoster, causes an uncomfortable rash . The virus that causes chickenpox is the same as this one.
The dorsal root ganglion, a component of your neural system, is where this virus continues to be latent . When the immune system is compromised by an autoimmune disorder or cancer, stress, illness, or other conditions might cause it to become active again.
For healthy young adults, the risk of having shingles is relatively low.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 4 out of 1,000 Americans are obese . For individuals over 60, it is significantly higher. According to the CDC, shingles strikes one in every hundred persons in this older age range.
A shingles rash typically goes away in 3 to 4 weeks. It can go away on its own, although antiviral medication can lessen the rashs duration and severity.