Shingles: it’s one of the rarest conditions in the developed world today, but if you are unlucky enough to get it you can learn how to alleviate and minimize pain and discomfort. This viral infection causes painful rashes that spread across the body and can technically occur to anyone, even folks who have been vaccinated for chickenpox (the root virus that causes susceptibility to shingles later in life).
Let’s explore causes and some natural remedies for shingles that might be helpful in alleviating this virus’s painful symptoms.
What Causes Shingles?
Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the exact same virus that causes chickenpox. You actually have to get chickenpox before you can get shingles.
If you get chickenpox as a child, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) will then lie dormant in nerve tissue near the brain and spinal cord. Later in life, the virus could reactivate as shingles: a new and painful variation of the same core disease.
Who’s At Risk of Shingles?
Risk factors for this condition include:
- Being over the age of 50.
- Having lots of daily stress.
- Being seriously injured or having a major chronic disease like cancer or HIV.
- Taking long-term steroids or other intense medications that may weaken the body’s immune system.
Symptoms of Shingles
Shingles is a terrible disease in large part because of its symptoms. In the early stages of the viral infection, those with shingles will experience symptoms like:
- Itching
- Fevers and chills
- Stabbing or shooting pain in the affected areas
- Redness for raised dots on the skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tingling in, under, or around the skin
In certain cases, shingles may cause various damaging or dangerous complications, including brain inflammation or facial paralysis, vision loss or other eye problems, or pain that lasts for far longer than the shingles outbreak itself.
3 Short Term Natural Remedies for Shingles
There are both short-term and long-term fixes or solutions for shingles’ symptoms. Here are some short-term remedies you can try in the initial days after the outbreak.
1. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil may also be an effective essential oil treatment when applied topically (and properly diluted with a carrier oil). This effective oil has powerful antiviral effects, so it may eliminate viruses on or just beneath the skin as it is absorbed by your body.
2. Monolaurin
Or you could try monolaurin: an antiviral chemical you can make from lauric acid (and acid found in human breast milk and coconut oil). Monolaurin is effective for treating other viral infections, such as those from the common cold or the flu. Apply it topically or take it as a supplement to see the best effects.
3. Topical Remedies
Other topical treatments may also be effective at minimizing the spread of the shingles rash or lowering its discomfort/itchiness. These include:
- Raw honey is antibacterial and antiviral (as well as moisturizing the skin to a limited extent)
- Colloidal silver serum can be used to eliminate viruses and bacteria on the skin.
- Calamine lotion
- Oatmeal bath
- Capsaicin, to reduce the risk of severe pain in the nerves
4 Long-Term Natural Remedies for Shingles
There are also long-term remedies to consider, which may limit the likelihood of future shingles outbreaks (though you cannot eliminate the possibility entirely).
1. Improve Your Immune System
Since the immune system is responsible for keeping shingles in check, ensuring that your immune system is boosted as often as possible is a good idea. Include plenty of vitamin C in your diet, and take foods that are rich in vitamin D as well.
2. Reduce Stress Levels
Daily stress can increase physical discomfort and limit the effectiveness of your immune system. Try to reduce your stress levels by practicing meditation, yoga, or removing yourself from a stressful work environment if possible.
3. Take Adaptogenic Herbs
Various adaptogenic herbs could be useful for treating major shingles rashes due to their therapeutic, pain-numbing, and antibacterial effects. These herbs include Ashwagandha and Rhodiola, both of which can be applied topically or consumed as ingredients in teas.
4. Avoid Inflammatory Foods
Similarly, make long-term adjustments for your holistic wellness and your diet by avoiding inflammatory foods and cutting out certain unnecessary compounds like extra sugar, caffeine, and saturated fat. Making these dietary adjustments can improve the health of your gut microbiome, which may improve your immune system as well.
Summary
It can be very tough to live with shingles, especially since it can’t currently be fully cured. However, the above treatments and remedies can go a long way toward alleviating the worst symptoms and helping your body defeat outbreaks when they crop up.
Sources
Signs and Symptoms of Shingles (Herpes Zoster) | CDC
Shingles | National Institute on Aging | National Institutes of Health
The Clinical Use of Monolaurin as a Dietary Supplement: A Review of the Literature | NCBI
