Natural Treatment Options for Shingles
They have a very strange name, but for those who have ever suffered from them, shingles is no laughing matter. They are painful, difficult to treat, and unfortunately seem to recur in many patients. But what exactly causes shingles, and how can you treat this condition and prevent it from coming back?
Shingles actually refers to a strain of the herpes virus, however they are not sexually transmitted. In adults, they are usually caused by a latent strain of chickenpox; If you ever had chickenpox as a child, even after the rash went away, the virus that caused it lay dormant in your system. Usually, the virus reappears in the form of shingles when something compromises your immune system, such as stress, illness, or just aging. Typically, those who are over the age of 50 or who have some type of autoimmune disease are more prone to these flare-ups than anyone else.
Knowing what causes shingles doesn’t actually help you avoid getting it; there isn’t much you can do about aging or contracting a disease that compromises your immune system. But stress is also a common cause, so knowing this should help you understand the need to stay calm and learn ways to deal with stress before a shingles outbreak. If you have something coming up that you know will cause undue stress, like a deadline or a presentation or something else, be sure to take extra precautions to avoid stressing yourself out too much. Exercise, get enough sleep, and eat well. Talk things over with a family member or friend; sometimes just having a conversation about your stressful situation can put it in better perspective. They may not sound like much of a shingles cure, but since stress can cause it, if you can manage your stress, you can reduce your chances of having an outbreak.
Since shingles manifests as a painful rash, the use of topical ointments can help with the immediate pain. Antiviral drugs and steroids can also help cure the outbreak.
People who are at particular risk of contracting the disease can sometimes receive a vaccine that will help keep the virus at bay, and people with autoimmune disorders need to be very careful about carefully managing their condition. And anyone who has recurring cases of shingles should talk to a doctor, as this may indicate an illness or condition that needs to be treated appropriately.
Some common vitamins and over-the-counter products can help relieve shingles symptoms, such as the following:
Zinc is necessary for healing and maintaining healthy tissues. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are the vital building blocks of skin, hair, muscle tissue, body organs, blood cells, various enzymes, and hormones. Zinc also has a profound influence on the body’s ability to resist disease.
Tea tree oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties and helps soothe and treat problem skin. It is used to help tighten pores and firm skin for a younger, healthier appearance.
Salicylic acid also helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. It also helps reduce shedding of cells lining hair follicles that clog skin pores. Salicylic acid is used as a mild abrasive to chemically exfoliate the skin to encourage desquamation of the top layer and prevent a buildup of dead skin cells that combines with oil to block pores.
Olbas is used to increase circulation in the skin by opening the pores in the skin. Olbas oil has been used for its healing properties in cultures around the world for centuries.
Isotretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A, is an oral drug that is usually taken once or twice daily with food for 4 to 6 months. Isotretinoin has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of severe acne and can improve or eliminate more than 80% of patients studied. Isotretinoin lasts much longer than antibacterial treatments and often cures acne forever. It reduces the size of the sebaceous glands and much less oil is produced and as a result the growth of your own bacteria is reduced.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This article is nutritional in nature and should not be construed as medical advice.