Monday, March 25, 2024

What Can You Put On Shingles To Relieve Itching

What Are Complications Of Shingles

How to treat shingles

Though shingles often resolve without any major problems, several potential complications can arise from shingles.

  • Postherpetic neuralgia : This is the most common complication of shingles. PHN is characterized by persistent pain and discomfort in the area affected by shingles. The pain can last for months to several years after the rash has cleared up. This complication is thought to occur because of damage to the affected nerves. The pain can sometimes be severe and difficult to control, and the likelihood of developing postherpetic neuralgia increases with age. This chronic post-herpetic pain can sometimes lead to depression and disability. In people 60 years of age and older with shingles, postherpetic neuralgia will develop in approximately 15%-25% of cases. It rarely occurs in people under 40 years of age. Timely treatment with antiviral medication during a shingles outbreak may help reduce the incidence of developing postherpetic neuralgia. If postherpetic neuralgia develops, there are various treatment options available including topical creams such as capsaicin , topical anesthetic lidocaine patches , antiseizure medications such as gabapentin , pregabalin , tricyclic antidepressant medications, and opioid pain medications. Intrathecal glucocorticoid injections may be useful for select patients with postherpetic neuralgia who do not respond to conventional medications and treatment measures.

Rebooting The Nervous System

Its like restarting a computer, Dr. Rosenquist says. When its running slowly or acting weird, you restart it. We are trying to turn that nerve off. When it comes back on, hopefully, it will send an appropriate transmission as opposed to a pain transmission.

Treatmentoptions for PHN patients include:

  • Intercostal nerve blocks: A local anesthetic can be injected between two ribs.
  • Thoracic epidural injections: Anti-inflammatory medicine can be injected into the space around the spinal cord to decrease nerve root inflammation and reduce pain.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants: Medications such as amitriptyline may be used to relieve pain.
  • Membrane stabilizers: Medications such as gabapentin can be used to reduce the pain associated with PHN.
  • Capsaicin cream: This topical cream can be applied to the affected area to relieve pain temporarily.
  • Patientswith refractory PHN rarely need opioid pain medication. However,you should be evaluated by a physician. We cant make a blanket statement abouttreatment. It is individualized, she says.

    These Home Remedies Should Provide Relief During A Case Of Shingles

    The editors at Health are a dedicated team of experienced health editors, writers, and other media professionals who strive to bring trustworthy and responsible health and medical content to their readers. As a team, we have decades of experience in health journalism and have worked at legacy publishers and some of the biggest news and media companies in the U.S.

    Anyone who had chickenpox as a kid remembers the red, painfully itchy blister-like rash, and perhaps the fever and fatigue that came along with it. But even though itâs true youâre now inoculated against chickenpox for life, thereâs one pox-related complication you may not have considered: Shingles.

    Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus , and causes a painful, itchy rash in one place on the body. Shingles is most common in adults over 50 years of age in fact, about half of people over age 80 may experience it.

    Hereâs how to minimize discomfort and pain with stuff you probably already have at home:

    Recommended Reading: What Can A Doctor Do For Shingles

    How Is Shingles Treated

    There is no cure for shingles, but antiviral medicine may relieve the symptoms and help prevent complications. See your doctor for a prescription of antiviral medicines as soon as possible after symptoms develop. Treatment should be started within 3 days of the shingles rash appearing.

    If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about whether antivirals are right for you.

    Over-the counter medicines, such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, can be used for pain relief. If over-the-counter medicines are not controlling your pain, your doctor may prescribe other medicines.

    There are several things you can do to help manage the condition. They include the following.

    Dab Calendula Oil To Ease Itching And Promote Healing

    What is the best lotion for itchy skin?

    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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    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

    Some specific strategies can help ease the pain:

    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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    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.

    Also Check: Shingles Shot Cost Walgreens

    Can I Put Baking Powder On My Skin

    New treatment for the pain of shingles

    If so, be cautioned! Baking powder can cause skin irritation and even banishment in some cases. However, if youre concerned about how the powder might be affecting your complexion, here are three ways to try it out

    : 1) mix a small amount of baking powder into your moisturizer before each use

    2) add it as a finishing touch to your skincare routine

    3) consult with a dermatologist if you have any concerns about the effects of baking powder on your skin.

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    Take An Oatmeal Bath To Relieve Itching

    Oats are widely known for their anti-itching property. You can add ground oats to bath water and settle in for a soak to relieve your itchy rash. Finely ground oats turns into a gooey mass when mixed with water. This coats your skin, soothing your skin and relieving itching. This calming property of oats is attributed to its gluten content.10

    Am I At Risk For Shingles

    Everyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for developing shingles. Researchers do not fully understand what makes the virus become active and cause shingles. But some things make it more likely:

    • Older age. The risk of developing shingles increases as you age. About half of all shingles cases are in adults age 60 or older. The chance of getting shingles becomes much greater by age 70.
    • Trouble fighting infections. Your immune system is the part of your body that responds to infections. Age can affect your immune system. So can HIV, cancer, cancer treatments, too much sun, and organ transplant drugs. Even stress or a cold can weaken your immune system for a short time. These all can put you at risk for shingles.

    Most people only have shingles one time. However, it is possible to have it more than once.

    Read Also: How To Figure Out How Many Shingles You Need

    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:

  • Take a fresh aloe Vera leaf plant, cut it open and extract the gel.
  • Take 2 to 3 teaspoons of cayenne pepper powder and mix it with the gel.
  • You can also add 2 tablespoons of organic turmeric and gently apply the paste on the blisters.
  • Repeat this application 2 times daily for 1 week.
  • You can also use organic cold-pressed Aloe Vera

    How Is Postherpetic Neuralgia Treated

    Are You The Cameraman?

    Treatments include lotions or creams and/or other medications not specifically used for pain, such as antidepressants or drugs for epilepsy. Regular pain relievers are not usually effective for this type of pain.

    If pain doesnt lessen, other treatments such as nerve blocks or steroid injections near the area where the nerves exit the spine can be tried. Implantable nerve stimulator devices are an option for severe, ongoing pain that has not responded to other treatments.

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    Skin Care And Itch Relief For Shingles

    To relieve itching and discomfort, try:

    • A cool, wet compresses on the affected skin
    • Soothing baths and lotions, such as colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or calamine lotion
    • Zostrix, a cream that contains capsaicin
    • Antihistamines to reduce itching

    Keep your skin clean. Throw away bandages you use to cover your skin sores. Throw away or wash in hot water clothing that has contact with your skin sores. Wash your sheets and towels in hot water.

    While your skin sores are still open and oozing, avoid all contact with anyone who has never had chickenpox, especially pregnant women.

    Avoid Intense Or Irritating Movement

    According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, shingles rashes most often appear on the trunk of the body, which includes your:

    Shingles rashes can also occur on the:

    With that in mind, its best to avoid activities that require you to lay on these areas, like exercising on the floor or a workout bench. For instance, if youre doing gentle yoga, skip any poses that have you lying in the prone or supine position, where your belly or back are touching the floor, respectively.

    Additionally, intense cardiovascular exercise like running or cycling may irritate a shingles rash, especially in the early stages.

    As you heal, consider switching to lower-intensity workouts like walking until the blisters dry up and crust over. According to the National Institute on Aging , this generally takes around 7 to 10 days after a rash appears.

    If possible, hold off on high intensity exercise until the scabs are completely cleared up, which may take 2 to 5 weeks.

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    Urgent Advice: Get Advice From 111 As Soon As You Suspect Shingles

    You might need medicine to help speed up your recovery and avoid longer-lasting problems.

    This works best if taken within 3 days of your symptoms starting.

    111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.

    Go to 111.nhs.uk or .

    Get an urgent GP appointment

    A GP may be able to treat you.

    Ask your GP surgery for an urgent appointment.

    How To Cure Shingles In 3 Days

    Shingles on the Hand Even After Shingles Shot | Auburn Medical Group

    If you want to cure your shingles quickly without much so much struggle, you must activate your body to fight the virus varicella Zoster in the below discussed two ways:

    • Use anti-itching and anti-inflammatory medications such as lotions and creams outside the skin this will facilitate healing from outside the skin.
    • Make regular consumption of essential nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, and enzyme supplements that will help to strengthen your bodys immune system. A strong body immune system will be able to destroy the shingles virus varicella-zoster.

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    Questions To Ask Your Doctor

    • Ive had chickenpox. Am I at risk of developing shingles?
    • What is the best treatment for my shingles?
    • The pain from shingles isnt going away. What can I do to make myself more comfortable?
    • Im on treatment for shingles. When should I call my doctor if things dont get better?
    • I have shingles and my children havent had the chickenpox vaccine. Should I get them vaccinated?
    • Is the shingles vaccine right for me?
    • Are there any risks associated with the shingles vaccine?
    • Will my post-herpetic neuralgia ever go away?
    • If Ive never had the chickenpox, should I still get the shingles vaccination?

    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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    What Are The Complications Of Shingles

    Symptoms of shingles usually dont last longer than 3 to 5 weeks. However, complications can happen. The main complications that can result from shingles include:

    • Postherpetic neuralgia . The most common complication of shingles is called postherpetic neuralgia . This continuous, chronic pain lasts even after the skin lesions have healed. The pain may be severe in the area where the blisters were present. The affected skin may be very sensitive to heat and cold. If you had severe pain during the active rash or have impaired senses, you are at increased risk for PHN. The elderly are also at greater risk. Early treatment of shingles may prevent PHN. Pain relievers and steroid treatment may be used to treat the pain and inflammation. Other treatments include antiviral drugs, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical agents.
    • Bacterial infection. A bacterial infection of the skin where the rash happens is another complication. Rarely, infections can lead to more problems, such as tissue death and scarring. When an infection happens near or on the eyes, a corneal infection can happen. This can lead to temporary or permanent blindness.

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    Are There Alternative Treatments

    Can You Get Shingles Without A Rash

    Some studies show that various alternative treatments, from acupuncture to supplements, can offer relief. The research isnât complete, but some shows promise. Check with your doctor before you try any of these:

    TENS . This therapy uses tiny electrical pulses to relieve pain. A TENS unit is about the size of a smartphone and comes with small patches called electrodes. You put them over the painful area and turn the unit on and off as your pain comes and goes.

    Traditional Chinese medicine: These treatments aim to restore balance in your body. They include acupuncture, the ancient practice of inserting very thin needles into your skin at specific points. Also, moxibustion and cupping, two types of heat therapy, are supposed to draw out toxins. These treatments may be done in combination.

    Creams and other skin treatments: A mixture of liquid dimethyl sulfoxide and idoxuridine, an antiviral drug, may reduce swelling and the number of blisters you have when you put it on your rash. And chlorophyll, the chemical that gives plants their green color, is also used directly on the rash as a cream or saline solution.

    Supplements: Youâll find a long list of herbs, pills, and oils that claim to relieve shingles. Most have no research to back them up, but there are a couple of exceptions. Papain, a protein found in papayas, is sold in capsules. And manuka and clover honeys can be put directly on your skin. Very early studies on both show they may be helpful.

    Also Check: Can You Put Lotion On Shingles

    What Increases The Risk Of Long

    The risk of developing post-herpetic neuralgia increases with age. Four weeks after getting shingles,

    • 27% of 55- to 59-year-olds and
    • 73% of over 70-year-olds had nerve pain.

    Women seem to be more likely to have longer-lasting nerve pain than men. Post-herpetic neuralgia is also more likely to develop if your eyes were affected by shingles.

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