Are you looking for ways to treat shingles naturally? Shingles is a horrible viral infection that originates from the varicella-zoster virus creating a painful rash on the body. The varicella-zoster virus is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has the chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in nerve tissue near the spinal cord and the brain, but years later the virus can resurface as shingles. Most people get shingles only once, but it is possible to get it multiple times. It is important to see your physician for diagnosis. Many times doctors will prescribe narcotics for the intense pain, corticosteroids and local anesthetics.
Shingles typically isn’t life-threatening. However, it can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation, encephalitis and in rare cases death. One in every four people who get Shingles will experience at least one or more complications. The most common complication of shingles is a condition called post-herpetic neuralgia or PHN. People with PHN have severe pain where they had the rash, even after the rash clears up. The pain from PHN may be severe and debilitating, but it usually improves in several weeks or months. However, some people can have pain from PHN for many years. As people get older, they are more likely to develop PHN, and the pain is more likely to be severe. Another side effect of this virus is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome which often mimics Bells Palsy. This syndrome attacks the nerve in the inner ear which affects facial nerves and can cause permanent paralysis, hearing loss and balance problems.
According to medical professionals, a person with active shingles can spread the virus when the rash is in the blister phase, however, they are not infectious before the blisters appear. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious.
The symptoms are as follows:
- Fever, headache, fatigue
- Red rash on face or a small section of the body
- Pain, burning, itching
- Blisters
- Sensitivity to touch, light
If you have shingles:
- Keep the rash covered.
- Don’t scratch or touch the rash.
- Wash your hands often to prevent spreading the virus.
- Avoid pregnant women, infants, people, the elderly or people with weakened immune systems.
So what can we do ourselves to treat shingles naturally? Here are some options:
- Use olive leaf extract to help fight the virus so that the duration is shorter.
- Mix silver sol with water and put into a small spray bottle to use on sores and blisters to help dry out and heal them. This does not sting the eyes. This can also be taken internally to fight the virus.
- Apply Penetrex cream that contains DMSO (MSM), frankincense (Boswellia Serrata), arnica, B6 to promote relief from nerve pain and inflammation. There is no burning sensation involved with this cream and relief is quick.
- Consider capsaicin which is the ingredient found in different types of hot peppers that decreases the intensity of pain signals in the body. However, you must be careful not to touch your eyes after using it or it could cause a burning sensation on your skin.
- Eat healthy, fruits and vegetables and stay away from sugar as it seems to prolong healing time.
- Eat one uncooked garlic clove per day. This is a great natural antibiotic and will help those suffering to fight the virus.
- Get plenty of rest and try to avoid stress as much as possible.
I wish everyone suffering with Shingles much health. Remember, what we do for ourselves today, makes tomorrow a better day!
Thank you.