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Treatment for shingles is generally a combination of antiviral medications, painkillers, and soothing lotions. The most commonly prescribed antiviral treatment for herpes zoster is aciclovir, as it reduces the length of the virus, and therefore the probability of complications.
Generic painkillers such as paracetamol can help to manage the pain associated with the virus, and calamine lotion is used to reduce the itching. In more severe cases painkillers as prescribed, or in the case of those with compromised immune systems, injections of antiviral antibodies. However some of these drugs for the treatment of herpes have side effects, this is why most people are seeking natural treatment for shingles.
Additionally, the affected area is kept as clean and dry as possible, usually by covering it with a dressing. Shingles generally resolve themselves without serious complications, however, if it appears near the eyes, forehead, or nose, the patient should seek out a GP or ophthalmologist, as shingles in this area can cause blindness.
What are shingles?
Shingles is a reactivation of the immune system to the varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox). Many individuals who contract the infection wonder what causes shingles, what the cures are, and how long it will last. Depending on how you contract it, there may be different forms of treatment.
Herpes Zoster or shingles is a skin rash that is caused by the same virus as that which causes chickenpox – varicella-zoster.
After a child has a bout of chickenpox, the virus lays dormant in the body and can manifest itself years later as shingles. It is unclear what triggers the outbreak of shingles but it seems to be more prevalent in people with compromised immune systems. This includes the elderly and those with other illnesses.
The most frequent question people are asking is: “when are shingles contagious?” or “is shingles contagious?” In this article, we will discuss everything about shingles including the pathology of the disease, prevention, and Treatment for shingles. Shingles usually affect people that are in their 50s or 60s and can sometimes be brought on by stress. The shingles rash area develops blisters that will begin to ooze fluid and crust over. When shingles are contagious is when new blisters are still developing, but as soon as they begin to crust up the shingles virus is no longer contagious. Because the blisters can be in various stages, be sure that they are healed before being near children who may have not had chickenpox.
Causes of Shingles
There is a range of causes associated with shingles. However, there is no surety as to what causes shingles. It’s not about what causes shingles but about the factors that activate the shingles virus that is lying dormant in the person’s body.
Listed below are some of the causes of shingles
Stress
This is one of the primary causes of reactivation. Stress, especially of the emotional variety, triggers off a process of reactivation.
Fatigue
Shingles are caused by a virus, in fact, the same virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster. In the case of those who have been previously exposed to chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in their nervous system even after they recover.
When the virus is re-activated, by factors including disease, stress, aging, or some combination of the three, it travels up the nerve to affect the skin in the area of skin related to that nerve. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, even if they were infected and recovered years ago.
Additionally, the blisters caused by shingles are full of the chickenpox virus and can transmit to other people. While most adults are immune to chickenpox, those who never had chickenpox, or those with weakened immune systems are at risk for catching chickenpox from those with shingles.
Note: Shingles is also a result of an HIV infection.
Shingles symptoms
The shingles symptoms vary widely from patient to patient.
Most patients report a burning feeling or tingling of the skin before there is any evidence of a rash. The pain is often severe, yet there may not be any rash to see or feel, which can be quite frustrating.
The rash will usually appear first as a few small blisters on red skin,
and then new blisters will form anywhere from three to five days. The blisters usually appear in areas that correspond to nerves, in a ray-like pattern on the skin. An entire nerve may or may not be affected.
Some people have just one nerve affected while others have several nerves or several layers of nerves affected. Some people experience intense pain that lasts for weeks and others experience only mild discomfort. The pain is usually greater for those who have more nerve space involved, although it is possible to have the pain without any blisters developing.
Shingles symptoms often show a typical stage. The symptoms occur in the following sequence
The Rash stage
In the start, a patient may feel like they are having the normal viral infection. The symptoms are common as that of flu. These are headache, nausea, and fever with chill. These symptoms are the primary symptoms before the outbreak of skin rash. If the disease is diagnosed at this stage and treated properly, the chances of further progress of the disease are lowered to a greater extend. This stage is the right time to boost the immune system. Normal treatment includes antiviral medicines. Then the rash appears about 3-5 days after this stage. This is accompanied by certain other symptoms like burning and tingling sensation, itching, numbness & burning pain.
The eruptive stage
This stage is characterized by the outbreak of blisters with pain. Blisters are often filled with clear fluid. The common sites of such blisters are on the buttock, arms, legs, face. These usually occur on one side of the body. This stage may continue for about 2 weeks. The clear fluid in the blisters slowly gets converted into pus during this stage & leads to scabbing. This is a highly contagious stage. Also, the patient may suffer from pain and itch. So he/she may like to wear loose clothes to avoid contact with anything with the eruptions.
The Post Neuralgia stage
In some cases, the patients may feel continuous pain along the nerve pathway where earlier blisters were present. This pain even persists after the complete healing of blisters. This is the post neuralgia. Anti-inflammatory creams and oils can be helpful in such conditions.
When are shingles contagious?
Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant (inactive) in their body. The virus can reactivate later, causing shingles.
Most people who develop shingles have only one episode in their life. However, you can have shingles more than once.
If you have shingles, direct contact with skin blister fluid can spread VZV to people who have never had chickenpox or have never received the chickenpox vaccine. If they get infected, they will develop chickenpox, not shingles. They could then develop shingles later in life.
The risk of spreading VZV to others is low if the shingles rash is covered. People with shingles cannot spread the virus before blisters appear or after scabs appear.
People with chickenpox are more likely to spread VZV than people with shingles.
Between the time the blisters appear and when they dry out and scabs, another person can catch the virus if they come in contact with the pus in the blisters.
To prevent the spread of VZV to others:
- Cover the rash.
- Avoid touching or scratching the rash.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid contact with the following people until the skin forms scabs:
- pregnant women who have never vaccinated chickenpox or chickenpox;
- premature or low birth weight babies; and
- people with weakened immune systems, such as people receiving immunosuppressive drugs or undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Some people are at greater risk of getting herpes. This includes people who
- are over 50 years old. Shingles are most common in people over 50. The risk increases with age.
- Are having certain medical conditions. Diseases that weaken your immune systems, such as HIV / AIDS and cancer, can increase your risk of shingles.
- are undergoing cancer treatment. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy can lower your resistance to disease and cause shingles.
- Are taking certain medications. Medicines designed to prevent organ transplant rejection can increase the risk of shingles, as can long-term use of steroids such as prednisone.
- have medical problems that prevent the immune system from functioning properly, such as certain types of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- receive drugs that impede the proper functioning of the immune system, such as steroids and drugs administered after organ transplantation
How to prevent shingles?
A shingles vaccine can help prevent shingles.
People looking to get the shingles vaccine to have two options: Shingrix and Zostavax.
In the United States, Shingrix was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 and is preferred over Zostavax. Studies suggest that Shingrix provides protection against shingles for more than five years. Shingrix is a non-live vaccine made up of a viral component. It is prescribed in two shots, with two to six months gap between them.
Shingrix is approved and recommended for people 50 years of age and older, including those who have received Zostavax in the past or have had shingles.
Zostavax has been shown to provide protection against shingles for about five years. It is a live vaccine given as a single injection, usually in the upper arm. Zostavax is recommended for people aged 60 and over. Although it is no longer sold in the United States as of July 2020, other countries can still use it.
The most common side effects of either shingles vaccine are redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site, and headache.
Natural Treatment for shingles
Natural treatments for Shingles do not have any side effects on a person’s body, even when done frequently for immediate relief of the Shingles symptoms.
Listed below are different approaches to natural Treatment for shingles:
Diet for shingles – an essential part of any natural treatment for shingles.
Foods and drinks to help with recovery from shingles include:
Vitamin B Rich Foods –
B vitamins help support the body’s nervous system and considering that the nervous system is under the attack of shingles, it is important to eat foods that are high in vitamin B. Foods include I’m; brewer’s yeast, sweet potatoes, bananas, grass-fed beef, cultured dairy products, eggs, organic chicken, whole grains, and vegetables
Water:
Adequate hydration is vital to help eliminate the virus from your system. Try drinking 2 liters of purified water every day.
Garlic and Onions –
Both raw garlic and onion contain allicin, which can help boost immune function.
Vitamin C Rich Foods –
Vitamin C helps boost your immunity and also accelerates skin healing. Incorporate lots of oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers, kiwis, and berries into your diet.
Green Leafy Vegetables –
These vegetables are rich in antioxidants and magnesium, which can boost immune function and support the nervous system.
Foods and drinks to avoid for faster healing include:
Sugar –
Consuming sugar reduces the white blood cells in the body. White blood cells are vital in helping fight infections.
Caffeine –
Caffeine can be overly stimulating for the nervous system and can also be dehydrating, so it’s best to avoid it in all its forms (e.g. coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks).
Fried Foods –
Fried Foods They promote an acidic environment that is not conducive to healing, so it is best to avoid these foods during a shingles attack.
Alcohol –
It is best to avoid alcohol during a shingles attack as it puts stress on the liver and the healing process of the body as a whole.
Home remedies for shingles – most popular natural treatment for shingles
Home remedies for shingles are one of the natural remedies for shingles that have been proven to be effective with no side effects. Listed below are home remedies for shingles:
- Vitamin C improves the body’s immune system and the correct dosage should be followed to prevent any Shingles infection from re-occurring.
- Vitamin E is also a helpful home remedy for Shingles. You can use this vitamin by applying it to the affected areas to help treat Shingles quicker.
- Garlic can also be used as a natural treatment for shingles. Consuming garlic 3-5 times each day is a good cure for people who are suffering from the virus.
- Hydrogen peroxide is also another common home remedies for shingles. Undiluted hydrogen peroxide should be applied to rashes or blisters.
- The application of ice is another home remedy for Shingles used to numb the pain felt with the blisters or rashes. Ice placed in a plastic bag can be pressed on the affected areas. The skin will then be relieved from the pain and irritation brought by the Shingles symptoms.
- Baking soda can also be used to treat the rash by creating a cold compression of water and baking soda. This mixture is known to treat the blisters fast and relieve pain.
- Apple cider vinegar is another favorite treatment. Combine a half cup of apple cider vinegar and two cups of water. This mixture is then applied to the rashes and blisters of Shingles. Apply apple cider vinegar in a soft and upward motion.
- Relaxing in a cool bath doesn’t only give relief to your entire body; it can also help relieve the pain and itching due to the rashes and blisters of Shingles.
Herbs for shingles – effective home-based natural treatment for shingles
Herbs for shingles help your body fight the virus and treat insomnia and anxiety due to shingles. Listed below are herbs for shingles
Olive Leaf:
- Olive leaves are herb for shingles that contain a glucoside named oleuropein, enzymes, and many other substances that are essential for the human body. They have astringent, antiseptic, and diuretic properties, but their antiviral characteristics are so powerful that can help you combat many ailments. People with AIDS have used strong doses of this leaf, and the results have been fantastic. The secret of this is to make a strong tea. It can have a bitter taste, but it’s worth it so don’t let this discourage you.
Lemon Balm:
- The benefits of this herb go beyond its soothing effects and aromatherapy. All the plants, including the flower, branches, and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes. Lemon balm is from the mint family and produces a sedative effect on the central nervous system. It’s used for treating stomach disorders, insomnia, fever, nausea, irritability, flu, bronchial inflammation, high blood pressure, and PMS syndrome. And for this same reason, it’s often used to treat herpes topically because it relieves pain. Many studies indicate that lemon balm has antiviral properties. They discovered this herb prevents the virus to attach to new cells. This means that by taking this tea orally the herpes virus will not thrive and will live for a short time in your body.
Other herbs for shingles are: peppermint, sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and hyssop are only some of them. You can prepare a combined highly concentrated infusion of these herbs, let it cool, and then wash the body areas affected by shingles. All the above-mentioned herbs have great antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral compounds that work wonders on herpetic rashes.
Homeopathy for shingles – #1 natural treatment for shingles
Homeopathy for shingles activates the body’s natural healing ability by strengthening the immune system with medicine that has undergone progressive dilutions. In the case of a person with shingles, a homeopath will develop a treatment plan based on the root cause of the individual’s complaint such as burning pain, itchy rash, and pus-filled blisters, among others.
Homeopathy for shingles has no side effects and produces immediate results. Listed below are homeopathic remedies for shingles
- This homeopathic remedy for shingles is often helpful for herpes zoster infection that is accompanied by stomach problems with burning sensations and nausea. Eruptions may appear especially on the right side of the abdomen.
- This homeopathic remedy for shingles is indicated for intensely itching shingles on the ribcage (either on the back or chest), which are also very sore, and worse from contact with clothing or any kind of touch. The blisters may look bluish. The person may feel worse from alcoholic beverages, and exposure to cold air.
- This homeopathic for shingles may be indicated for a rash that begins with many small blisters, red and intensely itchy, and is relieved by hot baths or hot wet compresses. Restlessness makes the person want to pace the room or constantly move around.
Acupuncture for shingles – ancient Chinese natural treatment for shingles
Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that employs fine, sterile needles to stimulate different acupuncture points on the body to balance the flow of energy and activate the body’s natural healing abilities.
Stagnation of energy or any obstruction in its path can lead to a host of diseases, including shingles. Improving the flow of energy within the body keeps illnesses at bay.
During acupuncture for shingles, the acupuncturist employs different techniques, including fire needling. This method involves the use of specialized needles that are heat resistant. Following the principles of TCM, the acupuncturist works on different acupoints on the body which correspond to the affected meridians, which may include those in the large bowel, thyroid, spleen, and kidneys, just to name a few.
Clinical studies show that combining acupuncture for shingles with conventional medications for shingles produces greater pain reduction, allowing the person suffering from shingles to function normally again.
Conclusion on natural treatment for shingles.
Clearly, shingles are no fun, but the good news is that shingles natural treatment is not hard to do, not expensive and the following suggestions can all be done in the comfort of your own home. Many types of natural treatment for shingles are aimed at boosting the immune system since shingles are caused by a virus.
If you need help with shingles natural treatment contact Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic and schedule your appointment for a holistic comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Tsan. Our clinic employs only the best practitioners in each area and we have 99% of positive reviews by our patients
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