The same virus that causes chicken pox also causes the unpleasant viral illness known as shingles. There is no known cure, however a number of natural treatments can provide symptom alleviation.
A painful rash is brought on by the viral illness known as shingles (herpes zoster). This viral infection is caused by the varicella zoster (VZV) virus. The virus that causes chickenpox is the same.
The chickenpox virus is latent in your body if you had it as a child. Later in age, the virus might reactivate and result in shingles. The rash can appear anywhere on your body, although usually only tiny areas are affected.
Typically, pain is the initial sign of shingles. After the discomfort starts, a rash and fluid-filled blisters appear a few days later. Some shingles sufferers may experience exhaustion, a fever, and light sensitivity.
What Is Shingles?
The varicella-zoster virus is the infectious agent that leads to shingles. Herpes zoster is the name given to it in medicine. The same virus that causes chickenpox also results in this illness.
Shingles can result in excruciating rashes on any part of the body. On your neck, face, or chest, for example, it often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around one side of your body. A red skin rash with a burning feeling that produces discomfort is the hallmark of shingles.
The virus continues to stay latent in the nerve tissues surrounding the spinal cord and brain in people who have previously had chicken pox. This latent virus may resurface in the form of shingles after many years.
Although it is not a life-threatening illness, shingles may be quite uncomfortable. A vaccination can help lower the chance of contracting the virus, and early treatment lowers the risk of consequences.
Shingles Symptoms
The characteristic sign of shingles is a red, itchy rash that appears on one side of the body.
Headache, fever, chills, and an upset stomach are possible additional shingles symptoms.
Typically, shingles go away in three to five weeks. On one side of your body, you could first experience a burning or tingling discomfort, itchiness, and numbness. About one to five days later, a red rash will appear in the same location.
Small, water-filled blisters will appear in lieu of the red rash within a few days. These blisters quickly burst and leave scars, which take a few weeks to heal and fade. Even the smallest acts might be challenging throughout that procedure since it can be quite painful and uncomfortable.
If you have shingles, especially on your face or close to your eyes, visit a doctor very once. If left untreated, a shingles outbreak there might harm the nerves permanently.
Natural remedies
Reduce stress
Stress symptoms could be lessened by practicing relaxation techniques like meditation and getting as much sleep as you can.Quit smoking
Smoking is always dangerous and has no positive effects on health. Smoking must be stopped since it raises the risk of numerous cancers and other disorders.
Smoking reduces infection resistance, especially in the elderly, and can impede healing and recovery.
Vitamin supplements
No one in good health should need to take supplements. To preserve excellent health and a healthy immune system, however, those over 50 who are immune-compromised should think about taking supplements.
Immune system performance and vitamin D are related. Since low vitamin D levels are common in older adults, they should make sure to receive enough sun exposure or take supplements to boost their immunity.
Supplementing with vitamin C, zinc, and selenium can help boost immunity in older persons.
High vitamin and mineral dosages, however, may have the opposite effect of what is intended. Multivitamins are often a preferable choice since they include less and safer amounts of several vitamins and minerals.
Diet
A balanced diet is essential for both avoiding and treating sickness. Foods that are orange, red, and green and include the carotenoids lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and provitamin A should be included in people’s diets. Carotenoids, which may be found in the following foods, are crucial for immunological function:
- green foods: kale, parsley, spinach, melon, lettuce, and endive.
- red foods: watermelon, red pepper, grapefruit, and cherry.
- orange foods: carrot, pumpkin, and apricot.
Reduced inflammation and improved immunological performance can also be achieved by limiting trans and saturated fats, as well as by avoiding additional sugar and salt wherever feasible.
Gentiana scabra
Researchers have discovered that the blue or purple Gentiana scabra flower, which grows all throughout North America, has a good impact on shingles pain alleviation and lowers the risk of postherpetic neuralgia.
Gentiana scabra lessens pain and speeds up healing by minimizing skin inflammation. The herbal formula may be made by a professional Chinese medicine doctor by boiling the plant in water. The treatment can then be consumed by people.
Oat baths
According to certain research, oat extract may hydrate dry skin and calm sensitive and irritated skin.
Colloidal oatmeal is a safe and effective therapy, according to the FDA. To avoid allergic responses, oat protein is often excluded from colloidal oat products.
Flavonoids and saponins are the active components that help decrease inflammation. Oat products can be used in a chilly bath to assist people ease discomfort and itching.
Cool baths
To keep wounds and blisters clean and lower the chance of infection, take daily lukewarm baths or showers with little scrubbing.
Additionally, using cool water should soothe painful and irritated areas and aid in avoiding scratching, which might result in scarring.
Witch hazel
In some people, according to research, witch hazel is more potent than chamomile at reducing inflammation and itching.
The most popular witch hazel products are lotions and witch hazel water, however it is also available in other forms. There are several witch hazel lotions accessible online.
Witch hazel can be used topically to relieve itching and inflammation in affected regions.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
- Can be worn with any facemask and provides additional heavy-duty protection.
- Adult & Youth Sizes Available
Cold compresses
Applying cold compresses or cloths directly to the rash’s location will help to soothe itching and lessen inflammation.
A natural cotton rag or towel can be briefly dampened with cool water, wrung out, and then applied to sensitive, itching regions. Then, they can do this as often as necessary.
People should refrain from taking ice baths or bathing in really hot water since it is recommended not to subject the skin to excessive temperatures. Ice may make skin more sensitive, while hot water will stimulate blood flow and perhaps impede the healing of wounds.
Essential oils
Essential oils have long been utilized by people as natural treatments, frequently for skin ailments.
Some essential oils contain qualities that might aid in healing and reducing skin irritability. Examples of these oils include:
Tea tree oil, This helps speed up the healing of wounds and contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities.
Eucalyptus oil,It contains anti-inflammatory effects and accelerates the healing of wounds in cancer patients.
Chamomile oil, It helps skin regrowth, contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, and can treat ulcers and pressure sores.
Pure essential oils may occasionally induce allergic responses, thus consumers should always do a patch test before using them.
It is better to diluted oils with a carrier oil or to get them pre-mixed as a secure topical ointment at a pharmacy.
Many essential oils have not yet received FDA approval for usage, thus it is crucial to consult a pharmacist or physician before utilizing any of them.
How To Prevent Shingles
If you’ve never had chickenpox, have yourself and your children immunized. Even while not everyone will be protected from acquiring chickenpox by the vaccination, 9 out of 10 people who received it claimed success.
Adults between the ages of 50 and 60 should have a shingles vaccination.
You must take care to stop the virus from spreading to other people since shingles is infectious.
What you must do is as follows:
Cover your rash or blisters until they are fully dry. Stay away from those who lack immunity or have never had the chickenpox. Don’t pass around the utensils. Always wash your hands.
Bottom Line
The Varicella zoster virus is responsible for the viral illness known as shingles or herpes zoster. It results in rashes, red patches, and blisters filled with fluid. Getting vaccinated could help prevent illnesses from spreading. You might, however, also look into several shingles home cures.
To treat the symptoms of this infection, try oatmeal baths, cold or hot compresses, vitamins, coconut oil, garlic, and tea tree oil. Additionally, frequent hand washing, covering blisters until they are dry, and avoiding contact with those who have the disease can also help prevent shingles.
