What Can I Put On Shingles

Herbal Treatments That Didnt Work For Me

For me, many herbs that were supposed to work did not live up to their promise. For example, St. Johns wort is considered a near specific for herpetic pain. I applied lots of the oil externally and took large doses of the extract every hour or two internally. It yielded no effect on the nerve pain. I then used high-quality CBD oil, which is currently widely extolled for relieving the condition. It was mildly effective but it tended to make me feel sleepy throughout the day. I also used red-veined kratom which is an opioid-like herb, and it helped me to feel better but I didnt like, nor do I approve of taking more than once a day and only a few days a week. Kratom made the discomfort much more tolerable but did not completely relieve the pain. Its still worth keeping it available as part of a wider approach to managing the disease.

Traditional Chinese Medicine considers shingles as a condition of Damp Heat and the main formula for such ailments is Gentiana Combination. At least in the short term of five days or so, this formula had no effect. Chinese also consider all pain to be caused by blockage and formulas that move Blood and Qi like Fu Zhu Yu Tang and Si Ni San . At one period I did all three of these formulas, but they provided no noticeable immediate relief.

Apple cider vinegar is another plant-based treatment for shingles much recommended online. It did not work for me.

Reasons Your Skin Itches Uncontrollably And How To Get Relief

When your skin itches, you may have a rash however, you can have intensely itchy skin and see nothing on your skin.

Mosquito bites, chickenpox, and poison ivy arent the only reasons for itchy skin. See what else may be causing your itch and what can bring relief.

Can Other People Catch It

This one is confusing! You can catch chickenpox from other people, but you cant catch shingles from other people. You only get shingles from a reactivation of your own chickenpox infection in the past.

So if you have shingles, and you come into contact with somebody else, they cannot catch your shingles. But if they have never had chickenpox, it is possible that they could catch chickenpox from you.

To put it another way, no, you dont catch shingles. It comes from a virus hiding out in your own body, not from someone else. But if you have shingles, you may be infectious, as it is possible for people to catch chickenpox from you.

Only people who have never had chickenpox are likely to be at risk of catching chickenpox from your shingles. People who have had chickenpox should be immune from catching it again. If the rash is in a covered area of skin, the risk of anyone with whom you are not in close contact catching chickenpox is very low.

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How Is Shingles Prevented

The best protection against shingles is vaccination. Chickenpox vaccine should prevent you from getting the virus, and so decrease the risk of both chickenpox and shingles. Shingles vaccine reduces the risk of getting shingles and its complications you may still get shingles, but the symptoms are usually less severe and post-herpetic neuralgia is less likely. In New Zealand there are 2 brands of vaccines that protect against shingles Shingrix and Zostavax. These vaccines differ in the way they work, their cost and how they are given. Read more about the differences between Shingrix and Zostavax.

From Oatmeal Baths To Cold Compresseslearn How To Soothe Shingles Pain And Itching With These At

Medically reviewed in June 2022

Shingles is a painful, blistering rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus , the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, VZV remains in the body in an inactive state. Shingles occurs when the virus becomes active again, and most often appears as a single band of blisters that wraps one side of the torso, though it can appear on any part of the body. Its estimated that one in three people in the United States will experience shingles at some point in their lifetime.

While there is no cure for shingles, there are antiviral treatments available that can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the infection. Antiviral treatments should be started within the first 48 to 72 hours, and preferably within the first 24 hoursif you or a loved one has shingles, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

How to soothe shingles at home In addition to following the instructions for shingles care given to you by your healthcare provider, the ideas below may help you get relief from the itching and pain.

Apply a lotion or cream During the blistering phase of shingles you can apply calamine lotion to soothe shingles pain and itching. Be sure to wash your hands and keep the nozzle of the lotion bottle clean in order to prevent infection. Once the blisters have scabbed over, you may want to try capsaicin cream, which is used to relieve neuralgia, or nerve pain in the skin.

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Home Remedies And Lifestyle

In addition to triggering the uncomfortable rash, shingles can cause symptoms that are similar to those of other viral infections.

Shingles can make you feel feverish, tired, and generally unwell.

While prescription and over-the-counter drugs can help, one of the most important things you can do while dealing with it is to take good care of yourself. If youre caring for someone else who has shingles, lavish them with TLC.

Laura Porter / Verywell

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What Causes Skin To Itch

If youre experiencing itching, its most likely that something is causing your skin to itch. Skin itchiness is common in the summertime, when the weather gets hot and dry. It can also occur during other times of the year, but its more likely to happen in the fall and winter. There are a few things that can cause skin itchiness.

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What Types Of Health Care Professionals Treat Shingles

Shingles are most commonly diagnosed and treated by a primary care physician or an emergency medicine physician. For certain individuals who develop complications of shingles, a specialist in ophthalmology, neurology, or infectious disease may also be involved. Select patients with postherpetic neuralgia may require the care of a pain specialist.

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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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Hearing Loss And Facial Weakness

Complications of herpes zoster oticus and Ramsay Hunt syndrome might include hearing loss and facial weakness. For most people, these are temporary symptoms, but it is possible for the damage to become permanent, especially if shingles is left untreated.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome accounts for up to 12% of facial paralysis. In some cases, it has a worse outcome than Bells palsya condition that causes temporary weakness in the muscles of the face.

Aloe Vera And Cayenne Pepper

Aloe Vera has curative antifungal and anti-microbial properties that help to heal the blisters and sores caused due to shingles damage. Cayenne paper, on the other hand, has high contents of a compound called capsaicin, which helps get rid of pains, itching, and inflammation and prevents the infected area from further infections.

To use aloe Vera:

You can also use organic cold-pressed Aloe Vera

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Are There Shingles Home Remedies

People who have shingles symptoms and signs should see their doctor as soon as possible, because antiviral medication is effective only if given early. Individuals with facial, nose, or eye symptoms and signs should seek medical care immediately.

• Do not scratch the skin where the rash is located. This may increase the risk of secondary bacterial infection and scarring. Over-the-counter antihistamines and topical creams can relieve the itching.
• After diagnosis and appropriate treatment, apply cool tap-water compresses to weeping blisters for 20 minutes several times a day to soothe and help dry the blisters. This also aids in removing the scabs and decreases the potential for bacterial infection. Tap-water compresses must be stopped once the blisters have dried, so the surrounding skin does not become too dry and itchy. Remember that weeping blisters contain the virus and are contagious to individuals who are susceptible to the chickenpox virus.
• Keep the area clean with mild soap and water. Application of petroleum jelly can aid in healing. Wear loose clothing to avoid extra pain from clothing rubbing against the rash. Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with others who have not had chickenpox, are ill, or who have a weakened immune system.

Disadvantages Of Metal Roofs

Like most other things, there are a few disadvantages of choosing metal roofs. Otherwise, they would be found everywhere! The disadvantages include:

• Metal roofs can be much more expensive than shingles. Even with their durability, which helps increase value and balance over the expense over time, many homeowners simply cant afford to install metal.
• They provide excellent protection against the elements, but in many cases, rain and hail sound very noisy under a metal roof. A layer of soundproof insulation can help, but it adds to the cost even more.

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Rashes Produced By Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are fairly common. Yeasts are botanically related to fungi and can cause skin rashes. These tend to affect folds of skin . They look fiery red and have pustules around the edges.

Fungus and yeast infections have little to do with hygiene clean people get them, as well. Fungal rashes are not commonly acquired from dogs or other animals. They seem to be most easily acquired in gyms, showers, pools, or locker rooms, or from other family members. Many effective antifungal creams can be bought at the drugstore without a prescription, including 1% clotrimazole and 1% terbinafine . With extensive infection, or when toenails are involved, a prescription drug may be useful, such as oral terbinafine.

If a fungus has been repeatedly treated without success, it is worthwhile considering the possibility that it was never really a fungus to start with but rather a form of eczema. Eczema is treated entirely differently. A fungal infection can be independently confirmed by performing a variety of simple tests.

You Cannot Get Shingles From Someone With Chickenpox

You cannot get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox.

But you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before.

When people get chickenpox, the virus remains in the body. It can be reactivated later and cause shingles if someones immune system is lowered.

This can be because of stress, certain conditions, or treatments like chemotherapy.

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Apple Cider Vinegar For Shingles

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most useful home remedies around. Its a natural antiseptic that can clean those shingles sores and speed up the scabbing process. Honey makes the perfect pairing with the vinegar, as it thickens the solution and takes some of the sting out of the vinegar. Heres how to make a natural healing paste at home: Mix a half cup of warm honey with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Apply it to sores with a soft cloth and let it sit for just a few minutes. It may sting a little as it disinfects. Rinse off with lukewarm water and repeat as often as you like.

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Avoid Scratching The Blisters

It might be tempting to scratch or pick at the blisters, especially if theyre causing you discomfort. Know that theyll eventually crust over and fall off if you leave them alone.

Scratching at blisters or scabs can lead to infection and scarring. Cleaning and covering them regularly with a new sterile bandage can help reduce the likelihood that youll pick at the rash.

Keeping the rash clean is one part of the process. The other is to make sure you bandage it properly, especially if the rash is still weeping .

When dealing with a painful shingles rash, your best bet is to use bandages that are:

When youre switching the dressing, allow the skin to dry before covering it with a new bandage.

In addition to keeping the rash protected, bandaging also prevents you from passing the varicella-zoster virus to another person. Be sure to keep bandages on any areas of the rash that havent scabbed over yet.

While shingles isnt contagious, the virus that causes it can be passed to anyone who hasnt had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. If they come into skin-to-skin contact with the fluid that oozes from a shingles blister, they could end up with chickenpox, according to

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Milk For Shingles Pain

Need something to soothe the itch? Look no further than your refrigerator. Grab a soft wash cloth or clean sponge and saturate it in cold skim milk. Squeeze it out until its soaked but not dripping and place it gently over any problem areas. The milk should create a thin, film of protein to help protect and ease sensitive skin.

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How Can You Care For Yourself At Home

• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. Antiviral medicine helps you get better faster.
• Try not to scratch or pick at the blisters. They will crust over and fall off on their own if you leave them alone.
• Put cool, wet cloths on the area to relieve pain and itching. You can also use calamine lotion. Try not to use so much lotion that it cakes and is hard to get off.
• Put cornstarch or baking soda on the sores to help dry them out so they heal faster.
• Do not use thick ointment, such as petroleum jelly, on the sores. This will keep them from drying and healing.
• To help remove loose crusts, soak them in tap water. This can help decrease oozing, and dry and soothe the skin.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen , ibuprofen , or naproxen . Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Avoid close contact with people until the blisters have healed. It is very important for you to avoid contact with anyone who has never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. Pregnant women, young babies, and anyone else who has a hard time fighting infection is especially at risk.

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Manufacturer Specifications And Warranty

Even with the best warranties, it may be hard to track someone down after 40 or 50 years so they can assess your roof and write you a check for any damage. Depreciation may also significantly reduce the amount youd receive. This is why its good advice to purchase the best product you can afford, follow the specifications of the manufacturer, and have it installed properly. Then, you can pitch the warranty after about five years.

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If Ive Had Chickenpox Once In My Life Can I Get It Again

Its rare to get chickenpox twice in your life. Once youve had chickenpox, youre usually immune to it for the rest of your life. However, its not totally impossible. If you have a severely weakened immune system , you can get chickenpox a second time. If youve had chickenpox, you are more likely to get shingles at some point in your life than a repeat bout of chickenpox.

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