Herpes zoster or shingles is an itchy infection, which, according to the Centers of Disease Control, affects about a million people in the U.S. alone, every year. The infection is caused by a virus called varicella zoster, which is also known to cause chicken pox.
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When we get chicken pox, the virus is never destroyed even after we are treated. The virus stays dormant somewhere in the nerve tissues, and when shingles occurs, this virus gets reactivated. Though a lot of research has gone into this, it is not yet known why the virus gets reactivated.
Suggested read: Worried About Peeling Skin? Get Rid Of The Problem With These Home Remedies!
Risk factors
If you have had chicken pox, then you are at a risk of developing shingles too. Also, people who are above the age of 65, and had chicken pox before they were 1-year-old, run a high risk of developing shingles.
Those with weaker immune systems are also likely to get shingles. Other medical conditions that increase your chances of contracting shingles are,
- Cancer
- Lymphoma
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Leukemia
Symptoms and signs
The most common symptom associated with shingles is a red skin rash. The other signs include, inflammation, pain, burning sensation, small patches on the neck, on your face and on the buttocks.
The rash that you develop due to shingles are extremely itchy, and as a result, you will also develop blisters.
The other commons symptoms linked with shingles are,
- Headache
- Fever
- Body Pain
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to Light
You should let the condition self-heal, because that would mean 4 to 5 weeks of discomfort, pain and itching. Try these home remedies for shingles instead. They are simple, readily available, and most importantly, effective.
Even if you are taking antiviral medications, you can speed up the healing process by trying these safe natural remedies.
Home remedies for shingles
Here are the best 9 natural and super effective treatments for shingles.
1. Cold Water
To relieve yourself from the pain caused by the rash and the blisters, try this cold water therapy. It also offers respite from inflammation and itching.
For the remedy, you need a mug of cold water. Soak a clean and soft towel in it. Now properly wring out the excess water. Place this towel on your rashes and blisters. DO NOT RUB. Leave the towel on for about half an hour, and then with a soft piece of cloth, gently pat the area dry.
You need to repeat the therapy thrice a day, until the pain subsides and the symptoms disappear.
An alternative to this remedy is to take a cold water bath. Fill your tub with cold water, and once it is soothingly cool soak yourself in it. You should stay in water for at least 15 minutes, and then gently pat yourself dry.
Ice packs should not be used as they tend to be unbearably cold on rashes. Also, the towels that you use for the therapy should be clean and disinfected.
2. Oatmeal
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The next remedy on our list is oatmeal, which owing to its therapeutic properties, gives relief from the symptoms associated with shingles. It calms the rashes and the irritation caused by the blisters.
For the remedy, you will need to draw yourself a lukewarm water bath. Add to your water two cups of oatmeal. Make sure the oatmeal is finely powdered. Now soak yourself in this water for at last 15 minutes. Gently pat yourself dry.
This remedy should be repeated twice every day, until the condition is cured.
The alternative is to prepare an oat meal paste with the powder and some water. Apply this as a pack on your rashes and blisters, and allow it to dry. Now wash the pack with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a soft, clean cloth.
This remedy should be repeated once every day, for at least a week.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
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The next remedy on our post for today is apple cider vinegar. It is a very powerful remedy for shingles, and dries out the sore, which immediately stops the itching.
Since apple cider vinegar is antiviral in nature, it will disinfect your rashes, and therefore, speed up the recovery process.
For the remedy, you need to mix water and apple cider vinegar in the ratio of 1:1. Now, soak a cotton washcloth into the diluted solution, and gently place it on the affected areas. Once the cloth dries up, repeat the process.
Another option that you can try is mixing half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of warm water. Drink this thrice a day with your meals for at least a week.
4. Aloe Vera
As aloe vera soothes the skin, it works as an amazing remedy for shingles. It dries out the rashes and reduces the blisters quickly. This, in turn, heals the itching and inflammation associated with the condition.
For the remedy, you will have to extract fresh aloe vera gel form an aloe leaf. Now gently apply this gel on your rashes and blisters. Do not rub as it might aggravate the condition. Leave the gel on for about half an hour. Now you can wash it with cold water. Gently pat it dry using a clean and soft towel.
The remedy should be repeated twice a day for at least a week.
5. Licorice
The next remedy is licorice, which is antiviral in nature, making it an amazing treatment for shingles. Also the herb is an immune-booster that ensure you do not develop shingles again.
For the remedy, you need to prepare a paste by mixing a teaspoon of licorice powder and water. Now gently apply the paste on your infected skin and let it dry on its own. Now wash it off with lukewarm water, and pat it dry using a clean, soft towel.
You should repeat this remedy two times a day for about 2 weeks to cure the skin condition.
Suggested read: 10 Superbly Effective Home Remedies To Remove Dead Skin Cells
6. Garlic
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Garlic is antiviral in nature, and so, works effectively to cure shingles and other virus-caused infections.
For the remedy, you will need about 6 cloves of garlic. Now prepare a paste and apply it on the infected areas. Leave the paste on for 5 minutes and not more. Rinse off with lukewarm water, and pat dry.
You should repeat this remedy two times a day for at least a week.
7. Honey
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What makes honey such a great remedy for shingles? It is therapeutic in nature; it heals virus-related infections; it clears up the blisters; and, it offers relief from the itching.
For the remedy, you need to apply honey on the infected area, and bandage it for a while. After a few hours, take off the bandage and apply fresh honey. You need to go on repeating this remedy until you notice the infection is disappearing.
To strengthen your immune system, you should also eat a tablespoon of honey every day. A stronger immune system will ensure you fight the virus causing shingles quickly.
8. Virgin Coconut Oil
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The next remedy you should try to cure shingles is virgin coconut oil, which owing to its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, works wonders on skin rashes and blisters.
For the remedy, all you need to do is warm some unadulterated coconut oil. Now gently apply it on the infected skin. Using a gauze cover this area. You need to change every 2 hours, so that you don’t further infect the skin.
Repeat the remedy several times a day, for at least a week.
9. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm contains polyphenols which are anti-viral, thus making the herb suitable for shingles. It also helps treat the symptoms that are associated with the skin condition.
For the remedy, you need to prepare some lemon balm tea. Begin by heating a cup of water, add four teaspoons of the herb in the water, and let it steep for 10 minutes. Now once the tea cools, soak a cotton ball in it and gently apply the tea on the infected areas. You should leave it on until it dries on its own.
Repeat this remedy three to four times a day, until the rashes disappear.
Suggested read: 12 Of The Best Home Remedies For Brown Spots On Your Skin
Extra tips for shingles
Apart from these home remedies, you can also take many precautionary measures to ensure the infection does not spread further.
- You need to keep the infected area dry always.
- You should not pick at the blisters as it will worsen the condition.
- You need to let the infected area breathe, and so, keep it exposed to the air as much as you can.
- Apply some calamine lotion on the infected area.
- You can also apply some capsaicin cream.
- Stop sharing towels or washcloths with others.
That is all we have on today’s post on home remedies for shingles. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to others too? If you have some remedies that you would like to share with us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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