Some of these remedies may relieve pain and itchiness and improve healing:
1. Essential oils
Shingles refers to the reactivation of the dormant herpes varicella zoster virus after childhood. Aging, trauma, stress, or another illness can all activate the virus.
People have used essential oils as herbal remedies for many years, often for skin conditions.
Some essential oils have properties that may help with skin irritation and healing These oils include:
- Chamomile oil, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can improve ulcers and pressure sores by aiding skin-cell regeneration.
- Eucalyptus oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can increase the speed at which cancer patients’ sores heal.
- Tea tree oil, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can promote wound healing.
In some cases, pure essential oils can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, people should always do a patch test before trying them.
It is best to dilute oils with a carrier oil or to visit a pharmacy to purchase them pre-mixed as a safe topical ointment.
2. Cold compresses
Holding cool cloths or compresses against the rash site may assist in relieving itchiness and reducing inflammation.
People can lightly soak a natural cotton cloth or towel with cool water and wring it out before placing it on sore, itchy areas. They can then repeat this as necessary.
It is also best not to expose the skin to extreme temperatures, so people should avoid using ice baths or very hot water. Hot water will increase blood flow and potentially slow down the healing of sores, whereas ice will increase skin sensitivity.
3. Witch hazel
Researchers believe that witch hazel is more effective than chamomile for reducing inflammation and itchiness in some individuals.
It is possible to purchase witch hazel in a variety of forms, the most common of which are creams or witch hazel water. Many witch hazel creams are available online.
People can apply witch hazel topically to areas of irritation and inflammation to achieve relief.
4. Cool baths
Taking cool baths or showers every day, with minimal scrubbing, will help to keep sores and blisters clean and reduce the risk of infection.
Cool water should also relieve sore and itchy spots, helping to prevent scratching, which could cause scarring.
5. Oat baths
Some studies suggest that oat extract may moisten dry skin and soothe sensitive and inflamed skin.
Colloidal oatmeal is approved as a safe and effective treatment. Colloidal oat products usually exclude oat protein to prevent allergic reactions.
The active ingredients that help reduce inflammation include flavonoids and saponins. People can use oat products in a cool bath to help relieve pain and itchiness.
6. Gentiana scabra
Researchers have found that Gentiana scabra, a blue or purple flower occurring throughout North America, has a positive effect on pain relief in shingles and decreases the likelihood of postherpetic neuralgia.
By reducing inflammation in the skin, Gentiana scabra minimizes pain and promotes healing. A reputable Chinese medicine practitioner can prepare the herbal formula by boiling the plant in water. People can then take the remedy orally.
7. Diet
A healthful diet is vital for preventing and fighting illness.
The holistic dietary guidelines recommend eating a varied diet comprising many vegetables, fruits, and whole-grains as well as legumes, nuts, and lean meats.
People should aim to include orange, red, and green foods that contain the carotenoids lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and provitamin A in their diet. Carotenoids are very important for immune function, and occur in the following foods:
• orange colour foods: carrot, pumpkin, and apricot
• red colour foods: watermelon, red pepper, grapefruit, and cherry
• green colour foods: kale, parsley, spinach, melon, lettuce, and endive.
8. Vitamin supplements
Vitamins may help people who are immune-compromised.
Healthy individuals should not need to take supplements. However, individuals who are immune-compromised and over the age of 50 should consider supplementation to maintain good health and strong immunity.
There is a link between vitamin D and immune function. Many older people are at risk of low vitamin D levels, so they must ensure that they get sufficient sun exposure or take supplements to protect their immunity.
Taking vitamin C, zinc, and selenium supplements can also improve immunity in older adults.
However, taking high doses of vitamins and minerals can do more harm than good. Multivitamins, which contain lower and safer levels of many vitamins and minerals, are usually a better option.
9. Quit smoking (if you are still smoking cigarettes)
Smoking offers no health benefits and is always harmful. It is vital to quit smoking as it increases the risk of many cancers and diseases.
Smoking lowers immunity against infection, especially in older people, and can delay recovery and healing.
10. Reduce stress
Using meditation to relax and trying to rest when possible may help to reduce the symptoms of stress.
11. Drink enough water daily to prevent cellular dehydration. Calculate the correct amount of water intake. For every 1 kilograms of your body's weight ( in kilogram) , multiply by 32.53 to get the total amount of water in millilitre , per day. Drink 10% of this total amount ( in ml) every 90 minutes-interval. Prior to drinking your water, put a pinch of sea salt / Himalayan Pink salt on your tongue and let it melt first.
12. Sleep is a medicine for the body. Get enough sleep every night. If insomnia, drink a glass of water (250 ml) and then put a pinch of sea salt on the tip of your tongue. And go to bed.
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful, burning rash on the body. It can occur as a complication after a person has had chicken pox, but it may not appear until years later. Symptoms
The most common symptom of shingles is a painful rash that usually appears on one side of the body.
Shingles can affect people of any age.
A few days before the rash develops, other symptoms may be present, including weakness, chills, muscle aches, and nausea. Some people also develop pain, itching, tingling, and burning on the skin before the rash appears.
The rash from shingles tends to develop in a certain pattern, most commonly on the trunk. It is sometimes referred to as a “shingles band” due to the striped pattern. The rash may start as red patches but changes over time and develops into fluid-filled blisters. These blisters may ooze.
After about 7 to 10 days, the blisters may crust or scab. Although it can vary, the rash often clears up in 2 to 4 weeks.
Typically, shingles appears on the trunk. The rash also can develop on other areas of the body, including the face. When the rash appears on the face, it often develops around the eyes or over the nose.
Shingles misconceptions
One of the biggest misconceptions about shingles is that it only affects older adults. Although people over the age of 50 are more likely to develop shingles, the disease can also affect younger people. Even children can develop shingles.
Some people may also be under the impression that the condition is rare. That’s not the case. In fact, shingles is common. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, about 50 percent of people who live to age 85 will develop shingles at some point in their life.
Complications
One of the most common complications of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. The condition involves continued pain long after the rash from shingles clears up.
According to the CDC, postherpetic neuralgia affects about one-third of people over the age of 60 who develop shingles.
If it appears near or over the eyes, shingles can also lead to a severe infection of the retina, which can lead to vision loss. Bacterial skin infections are another possible complication.
In rare cases, shingles can lead to encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain.
Shingles vs. other conditions
Shingles can sometimes be mistaken for another skin conditions, such as hives, psoriasis, or eczema. A doctor should always be consulted if shingles is suspected.
The characteristics of a rash may help doctors identify the cause. For example, hives are often raised and look like welts. Psoriasis often involves red patches that have white scales throughout the rash.
At first, the shingles rash appears as small raised dots. One difference between shingles and other rashes is the pattern that develops. The shingles rash often develops in a pattern along the nerves of the chest and belly.
A rash due to allergies or eczema may develop anywhere, including the legs and the arms. The shingles rash also tends to clear up in a few weeks. Rashes due to eczema and psoriasis may last longer. A shingles rash is also usually a lot more painful than other rashes.
No comments:
Post a Comment