What Is A Home Remedy For Shingles

Are There Any Shingles Complications You Should Be Aware Of

Unfortunately, the answer is âyesâ. Even though you treat your affliction via medicine or home remedies for shingles, there are some complications you need to be aware of, such as these.

• Postherpetic neuralgia or PHN is the condition described above, and it means the residual pain the patient can still feel after their shingles are cured. Sadly enough, the pain can endure for months and even years after that, and itâs quite excruciating. Given the fact that shingles affect the nerves, one can understand how painful this is.
• Disseminate zoster â itâs another type of rash that typically spreads over vast areas of the body. It can even affect the inside, attacking the heart, lungs, liver, joints, and intestines.
• Complications of the cranial nerves â provided shingles affect the nerves in your brain, this can trigger the following:
• â loss of feeling in the eyes or just one of them
• â impaired vision
• â loss of hearing
• â inability to move certain parts of the face because the facial nerves have been affected
• â dry mouth and eyes
• Discoloration of the skin and scars
• Infections in the blisters caused by present bacteria.

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

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

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Neem And Turmeric Paste

Procedure:

• Take a bunch of fresh Neem leaves and 2 to 3 teaspoons of organic Turmeric.
• Grind the Neem leaves into a smooth paste. Add the Turmeric powder and mix.
• Apply the mixture on the blisters to form a layer. Repeat the process twice a day for a week.

How does this work?

Neem has been an important remedy for treating various illnesses and has been extolled in Ayurvedic texts as a divine remedy. It has been traditionally used as medicine for several centuries. Neem comprises nimbidol and edumin which have excellent antifungal properties that help cure shingles in an incredibly short time.

Turmeric is an excellent anti-oxidant that has great anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the swelling associated with shingles. Turmeric also prevents dehydration and prevents the affected skin from drying up. The Neem-Turmeric combo is one of the most effective home remedies for shingles pain.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• There is no reason why this line of treatment wont work. Both Turmeric and Neem can be applied on the severest of blisters or wounds and will never have any adverse effect.
• However, this combo paste should not be applied in the eyes.

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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Is Shingles Prevention Possible Is There A Shingles Vaccine

Prevention of shingles in people who have contracted chickenpox is difficult, since the factors that trigger reactivation are not yet defined. However, if a person is never infected with the virus, shingles will not develop. Furthermore, there are at least two methods that are currently used to reduce the incidence of shingles.

First, the VZV vaccine, otherwise known as the chickenpox vaccine, may decrease the incidence of shingles by enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight off VZV or keep this virus inactive. This vaccine is usually administered to children, but the immunity may decline in about 15-20 years. The single-dose vaccine dose is given to babies 12-18 months of age. Most vaccine side effects, if they occur, are mild and range from a rash, skin redness, and swelling to small chickenpox lesions, usually at the injection site. Boosters of this vaccine for use in adults are now being investigated and may help prevent shingles in the future.

Shingrix is the vaccine the CDC currently recommends as the preferred shingles vaccine. Two doses about 2-6 months apart are more than 90% effective in preventing shingles and PHN, and it is recommended for use in people 50 and over. Side effects of Shingrix may occur and last about 2-3 days and may include redness and swelling at the inoculation site. Some individuals may experience muscle pain, headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain, and nausea.

Home Remedies For Shingles

7 home remedies for shinglesShingles is a painful condition caused by a reactivation of the sleeping chickenpox virus . The virus causes blisters to spread throughout the body, causing burning, painful pains. Conventional shingles treatments include many medications to relieve the pain. A shingles treatment can also consist of natural home remedies. These focus primarily on strengthening the immune system, relieving pain and reducing inflammation in the body.

Shingles risk factorsOlder than 60 years oldA story of a disease that affects the immune system Taking medications that affect the immune systemIn the family already Gürstelrose has occurredShingles symptomsA strip of bubbles concentrated in a spheretingleVision problems when blisters appear near the eyes7 natural home remedies for shingles1. Food to enhance immunityThe treatment of shingles includes immune boosting foods to fight the disease. Foods high in B vitamins can help strengthen the nervous system, while foods rich in vitamin C can boost the immune system. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Garlic , onions and green leafy vegetables also support the immune system. Avoid foods that can cause inflammation and slow down the healing process. These include mainly sugar , caffeine and fried foods.

2. Vitamins and mineralsVitmamins and minerals that can be used for the treatment of shingles are:

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Apply A Licorice Gel Or Tea For Pain And Inflammation

Licorice has traditionally been used topically to treat shingles and ease the pain that lasts even after the blisters disappear. So how does licorice work? Glycyrrhizin, an active component found in this herb, has been found to stop varicella zoster from replicating. You can apply licorice gel a couple of times a day for relief.1819 You can also boil the herb in water to make a strong tea and apply that on the blisters.

References

What Causes Shingles To Activate

All these dermatomes correspond to one singular nerve, which is why this infection causes isolated skin lesions, rather than rashes appearing all over the body.

Per say, you can never have shingles if you have never been exposed to chicken pox or rather to say more clinically the varicella virus that causes this disease. As said even before, this virus can remain dormant for years and while remaining inactive it will never cause any problem to the host. However, in certain persons who have low immunity, it may reactivate several times in a short span of time.

This disease is most common in people who are aged over 50. More than half of the cases registered for this illness have been found aged near or more than 60. Nevertheless, this disease can happen to all people of all ages but only to them, who had been exposed to chicken pox.

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Tired Of Dealing With Painful Skin Rashes And Blisters Caused By Shingles Or The Herpes Zoster Virus Give These Natural Remedies A Try For Some Relief

Written by Anuradha Varanasi | Updated : May 25, 2016 6:03 PM IST

Read this article in HINDI.

Shingles is a chronic skin infection that mainly afflicts adults. It is caused by the herpes zoster virus which is also called varicella-zoster and this same virus is responsible for chicken pox. This virus lives in your body in a latent state after you have had chickenpox. Some years later, when this virus gets reactivated due to low immunity, some adults get shingles.

The worst part of dealing with shingles is symptoms such as blisters that are initially filled with fluid before a crust forms over it. Shingles can spread by person-to-person contact only if the skin rashes and blisters still haven t crusted over. These are the 4 dos and don’ts of herpes.

Can Shingles Be Prevented Or Avoided

The best way to prevent shingles is through vaccination. Vaccinate your children for chickenpox. This vaccine reduces their risk for getting chickenpox. You cant get shingles unless youve had chickenpox first.

When you are older, get the shingles vaccine. It is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older. It can prevent shingles. People who have had shingles should get the vaccine to help stop the disease from reoccurring. Common side effects of the vaccine are headache, plus redness, swelling, itching, and soreness at the injection site.

The shingles vaccine is not recommended for anyone who:

• Has had an allergic reaction to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin
• Has an allergy to any component of the shingles vaccine
• Has a weakened immune system due to conditions such as leukemia, HIV, or AIDS
• Is receiving treatment for cancer
• Is being treated with drugs that suppress their immune system, including high-dose steroids
• Is pregnant or might become pregnant within 4 weeks of getting the vaccine

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Tips To Prevent Shingles

1. Eat A Healthy DietConsuming a healthy diet is key to preventing any type of illness, including shingles. A balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and lean meats is a great way to keep your body healthy and your immune system in check. Aim to include orange, red and green foods that contain the carotenoids lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and provitamin A. These are key for a healthy immune system, so make sure to eat lots of foods like carrots, pumpkin, red peppers, cherries, kale, spinach and parsley.

2. Reduce Stress as Much as PossibleReducing stress as much as possible is key to preventing shingles. Since emotional stress affects the immune system, it seems to be a trigger for shingles. Reduce stress in your daily life by trying deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, relaxation and therapy if needed. This can help prevent shingles by boosting your immune system and health.

How Long Does Shingles Last

The majority of people who get shingles have signs and symptoms that last about three to five weeks. However, about 50% of those over 60 years of age who dont get treated may develop postherpetic neuralgia, a condition that can result in chronic mild to even excruciating pain. This occurs because shingles viruses can damage the nerves in the skin. Postherpetic neuralgia may last for months to years.

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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

Finally Use A Cool Water Compresses

Cool water may soothe the burning sensation from both your rash and mild PHN pain. Depending on the location, you could potentially put a cool pack on it, Dr. Kotton says, though she notes this wont help much for severe pain. Soak a cloth in ice water, take it out, and apply directly to the affected area. Ahhhhh. Another soother to consider? This pain very likely won’t last forever, even if you have PHN. In the meantime, though, these tips will help you get through the worst of it.

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Natural Remedies For Shingles: 7 Home Treatments That Help

Shingles is a disease that affects your nerves and is one of the most painful infections out there. Its caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, and occurs in about 10 percent of people who have previously had chickenpox. The infection produces a rash as well as pain, itching and blisters and often wraps around the left or right side of your torso. Luckily, there are a number of natural remedies for shingles that will help ease the pain and discomfort. Take a look at 7 home treatments that help.

Aloe Vera Cayenne Pepper And Turmeric

Procedure:

• Cut a thick leave of Aloe Vera and shave off the prickly serrations. Cut the skin and extract the gel.
• Take 2 to 3 teaspoons of Cayenne Pepper powder and mix it with gel. Add 2 teaspoons of organic turmeric too. Gently apply the paste on the blisters.
• Repeat process twice daily for a couple of weeks.

How does this work?

Aloe Vera is the wonder herb that is used to treat a plethora of illnesses. It has excellent curative properties and helps heal the blisters and restores the skin very quickly. It has excellent anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. Cayenne Pepper contains a compound called capsaicin which helps block the pain signals from the nerve endings under the skin.

Turmeric has excellent antiseptic properties that help heal all the blisters it also helps relieve the severe itching caused by shingles, making this amazing homemade paste one of the best home remedies for shingles nerve pain.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• There is unusually high fever or the infection is very severe
• The paste is applied near the eyes as it can cause damage

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I Tried Everything For Shingles Heres What Worked

For the last 3 1/2 weeks, Iâve been suffering from shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. It is a terrible condition. There seem to be many cures and treatments for it that are either questionable, or in the case of Western medicine, have a potential for adverse side effects. Most people suffer from post-herpetic pain that can go on for weeks, months, or even years.

What Are Common Home Remedies For Shingles

Keeping the inflamed skin clean is essential, so wash the affected area with cool water and mild soap. Taking a bath or shower is fine. The blisters of shingles will crust over and fall off on their own, and it’s important to avoid picking at the blisters to prevent the development of a secondary skin infectionat the inflamed site. Cool compresses applied to the painful area after washing may be helpful. In the first few days of an attack, you can apply ice packs for 10 minutes at a time several times throughout the day.

You can also use cornstarch or baking soda applied directly to the areas of blistering to keep them dry and promote faster healing. Another product that may help keep the blisters dry and prevent oozing is aluminum acetate solution , which is available at pharmacies. Keep the blisters exposed to air and uncovered by clothing as much as possible.

Anti-itching lotions such as Calamine lotion can be applied after washing or rinsing or after treatment with cool compresses.

While none of these home treatments will cure shingles or even decrease the length of the attack, many sufferers find that home care measures can make the painful condition more tolerable.

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Who Is More Likely To Suffer From Herpes Zoster

Some people are more at risk of getting the virus, such as the following:

• People who have had chickenpox before, as the varicella-zoster virus can cause both diseases.
• Poor immune system people like older people and children.
• People who have other health conditions such as diabetes, HIV, skin cancer, etc.
• In addition, stress or taking certain medications such as steroids can also weaken the immune system and worse this condition.

Soak In A Colloidal Oatmeal Bath

This DYI option hasnt been tested for shingles specifically but experts say it may provide some skin relief while your rash is still acting up. Colloidal oatmeal is made by grinding oats into a fine powder . A study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that this natural remedy has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which can make it helpful in treating irritated skin. Add colloidal oatmeal to a bath of cool or lukewarm water and soak for about 10 minutes, once per day, for as long as your rash lasts.

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