Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful infection caused by a virus known as varicella-zoster virus. It is this virus that causes chicken pox. Once this virus gets into the body, it will remain there forever. Even after the chicken pox is healed, the virus stays dormant in the ganglia. Later in life, typically in old age, it can become active again and cause shingles. The varicella-zoster virus can be transmitted from a person with shingles to others through direct contact with open blisters. However, they will get chicken pox and not shingles. It is believed that shingles can be triggered by a weak immune system, trauma, sickness, or stress. The initial symptoms of this skin infection usually include burning or shooting pain, tingling or numbness.
Normally, a red rash develops about one to three days after the pain. It can be associated with fever, chills, fatigue, and headaches. The rash later becomes fluid-filled blisters. Shingles can appear on all parts of the body, including chest, abdomen, back, buttocks, face, arms, legs, and internal organs. It can occur in the eyes, which can cause short-term or partial blindness. Facial shingles may also lead to hearing problems. If the shingles affects internal organs, it can result in many complications like damage to the ears, encephalitis or inflammation of the brain, and partial facial paralysis. Moreover, the blisters can become infected if not treated properly. There are certain home remedies for shingles that you can use to get rid of this viral infection.
Applying cool compresses on the blisters may help soothe itching and pain. Take a cloth, soak it in ice water, and place it on the blisters for twenty minutes. Lemon balm is found to be effective to heal shingles. Add one tablespoon of dried lemon balm leaves to a cup of boiling water. Wait for fifteen minutes and then apply it directly to the blisters using a cotton ball. A colloidal oatmeal bath is also an effective cure for this skin condition. It is helpful to ease burning sensation and itching caused by shingles. Mix some cups of grounded oatmeal into warm bath water and immerse yourself in it for at least fifteen minutes. Soaking in a bath filled with cornstarch is also a great way to treat the symptoms of shingles. Apple cider vinegar is useful to cure blisters and reduce pain. Apply it directly to the affected area and let it dry.
Make a mixture of aloe vera gel and cayenne powder and place it directly on the blisters. Baical skullcap is widely used in Chinese medicine to treat viral infections, including the shingles. Crush the baical skullcap root into a fine powder and combine it with water to make a fine paste. Put this paste on the blisters. Home remedies for shingles include eating pears or drinking plenty of pear juice daily, avoiding arginine-rich foods, and reducing stress. Licorice can also be used to cure shingles. Make a tea out of the licorice root and drink it daily until the symptoms of shingles disappear.
Read more Home Remedies for Shingles. Also know useful Home Remedies for Shiny Hair.
