Thanks to the internet, the world has become a smaller place. All the information we might need at any moment is available at our fingertips. And medicine is not an exception. Obviously, you should not take major decisions based on your studies on the internet. However, when it comes to simple, basic natural treatment for shingles you can rely on some remedies inside your kitchen.

Today we will discuss some basic treatment for shingles that can be done at home.

What are shingles?

Before we jump any deeper into the topic, it is best to mention that shingles are caused by the virus which is responsible for chickenpox. The virus is called varicella-zoster virus, abbreviated as VZV, and this leads to shingles also being called herpes zoster or just zoster.

One may fall prey to chickenpox at a young age. However, after one is cured of the pox, the virus may still sustain itself inside the body and remain dormant for years. Years later, this virus may become active, and after this reactivation, it may travel through nerves to the nerve endings. Upon reaching the skin, it causes blisters, which are a characteristic feature of shingles.

Shingle is a viral disease that is contagious, and thus, exposure to someone who has shingles might cause chickenpox. And the cycle may continue this way. The rash and blisters take about a week or two to resolve and are usually in a localized area. If they occur in the eyes, they may even cause vision loss. These rashes usually follow fever or headache, and the place where they occur may experience a tingling sensation or itching. Sometimes, the nerves sustain some permanent damage, and the pain may remain for a few years. The condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Symptoms of shingles

The most typical symptom of shingles is rashes or blisters on the skin surface. In the case of some people, fever and headaches might precede the rashes. Shingles may pose very serious threats to one with a weak immune system.

The skin may experience other symptoms, such as scabs, ulcers, and redness. Another very common symptom of shingles is fatigue. Thus, one affected by shingles might feel sick or tired. However, in many cases, the shingles are so mild that they are invisible.

In serious cases of shingles, one may feel fatigued even after the rash has been cured. This mainly happens because of postherpetic neuralgia, which causes the inflammation of nerves. In cases of PHN, even the slightest touch can lead to the sensation of pain. It is seen in many cases that the symptoms increase during the day, and with time, they get worse. Thus, many patients are not able to sleep peacefully during the night, and this leads to insomnia.

Even though the research is only in the preliminary stages, many scientists believe that shingles might also cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, abbreviated as CFS. It is so believed as the symptoms shown by the body upon the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus overlap with the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Home remedies for shingles

Just like all other diseases, shingles also has a set of home and natural remedies that can help you resolve the problem. There are also many steps that you can take to prevent shingles in case you have been affected by chickenpox before or have been exposed to someone who has shingles or chickenpox.

Let us look at the treatment for shingles using home remedies

Vitamins

Like any other list of remedies for any other disease, this one, too, begins with a nutrient. It is best to consult a medical practitioner before going ahead and changing your diet chart. It is also a proven fact that food items that are rich in vitamins, such as green leafy vegetables, eggs, cheese, fish and citrus fruits, help to lessen the pain due to the inflammation of the nerves.

To be specific, vitamins C and D are the ones that help during a case of shingles. Research shows that intravenous Vitamin C can help to lessen the pain in the nerves, which is caused by inflammation. On the other hand, Vitamin D has immunomodulatory activities.

Soothing lotions or creams for the skin

The first thing that you should keep in mind if you are suffering from shingles is that you should not scratch the rashes. Scratching can cause scarring and prolong the life of the rashes and blisters. You can use medicinal lotions and skin creams that can soothe your skin and lessen the burning sensation. They will not speed up the healing process but make life easier for you.

You also should not use antibiotic ointments as they might clog the pores and prolong the healing process. You can use calamine lotions after baths and use creams that contain capsaicin. It is anti-inflammatory in nature and helps to reduce pain.

Regular baths

Regular baths help to cleanse the clogged pores and keep the skin free of irritation. Cool baths also help to soothe the skin and reduce the pain of the blisters. You can also use cornstarch or oatmeal, as these have a tendency to reduce the pain and heal the rashes.

It is strongly advised not to use hot water as that can irritate the skin even further. After bathing, you can dry the skin by lightly dabbing it with a dry towel. It is suggested to use the towel as gently as possible.

Cool compress

Cold compresses are used to treat the body in case of injuries that have resulted in inflammation. Similarly, in this case, as well, using a cold compress will help to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation and pain. You can apply it for 15 or 20 minutes and then pat the area lightly. This will help to reduce inflammation and pain.

Hot compresses are used in case of cold sores. Thus, in the case of shingles, you can use both hot and cold compresses.

Using baking soda and cornstarch

It is scientifically proven that a paste of soda or cornstarch can help to relieve the pain and lessen the inflammation on the skin. You can make the paste by using two parts of baking soda or cornstarch and a part of water. You can apply this paste to the affected area as many times as required throughout the day and keep it on the skin for about 15-20 minutes.

Essential oils

Essential oils have been used as herbal medicine for centuries. They have many medicinal properties and can greatly help someone suffering from shingles. For example, eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to speed up the process of the healing of the pores.

Further, chamomile oil also has anti-inflammatory properties and also antimicrobial properties and can thus help in the regeneration of skin cells. It helps to cure ulcers and rashes. Tea tree oil also has similar properties and helps to cure wounds.

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Therefore, there are many home remedies that can work as a basic treatment for shingles and can help you battle the virus without having to run to the hospital. You can also take preventive measures beforehand if you have past cases of chickenpox or have been exposed to someone with shingles recently. Always remember, prevention is better than cure!