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Treatment of Shingles
What can I use for shingles?
(11 Sep 2009)
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Shingles is a condition in which a painful rash breaks out because of a viral infection. Although it can affect any part of the body it most commonly occurs as a band of blisters, stretching from the middle of the back to one side of the chest. The virus responsible for the infection called varicella zoster and if the name does sound familiar it’s probably because this is the same virus responsible for chickenpox.
Once a chickenpox infection resolves the virus is not destroyed but remains inactive or dormant in nerve tissue around the spinal cord and brain. This leaves the possibility of it reactivating years later to cause shingles.
Shingles may not be a life threatening condition but it certainly is very painful. While vaccines are available today that can help reduce the risk of shingles, prompt treatment can also help to reduce the duration of a shingles infection, while lowering the risk of complications. If the condition is neglected or not treated appropriately it can lead to neurological problems, nerve damage, and even vision loss. Home remedies and alternative treatments may offer some hope but it would be unwise to rely solely on self medication. Your best strategy would be to employ natural remedies, in consultation with your doctor. Follow his advice meticulously and do not disregard his recommendations. Here are some natural remedies that are commonly employed in the treatment of shingles:
- Strengthening your body’s immune system and natural defenses is the most important step and the best way to do this is by sticking to a healthy diet with a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- To treat the lesions, simply soak a towel or washcloth in cold water or even keep it in the freezer for a while before applying it over the affected area.
- Cut down or preferably eliminate sugar from your diet and boost your intake of vitamins E, C, and B12, but consult your doctor about supplement dosage. Vitamin B12 injections are in fact some times administered to reduce the pain.
- You can also cut open some vitamin E capsules and apply over the lesions.
- Avoid exposure to heat and also avoid wearing any tight fitting clothes or itchy fabrics like wool or polyester. Loose cotton clothing would be ideal.
- Apply some chilled calamine lotion for instant relief. This may also help to dry the lesions.
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answered by S D on 11 Sep 2009, 2:25:01
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