The Shingles Virus - What is it and What Can You Do?

The shingles virus, also known as Herpes Zoster, is a condition where blisters develop on the skin.

Zoster is caused by the virus which is also responsible for the chickenpox. If you had chickenpox when you were a child, then you have a high risk of getting shingles later on in life.

Share YOUR Knowledge and Experiences
or Read Others' Contributions

Click here for more pages and articles on Shingles.

A note about The Shingles Virus - What is it and What Can You Do?

In natural health and healing, we believe in holistic health and healing, as we realize that different parts of the human body are highly interlinked, often beyond Man's understanding. We also believe that the body has the ability to heal itself of any disease, even supposedly incurable diseases.

In order to do so, the body needs the support of some basic dietary and lifestyle good health habits, such as a full body detox and a proper understanding and application of nutrition. No matter how remote or unrelated a health condition may seem, these fundamental health steps will greatly magnify the effects and benefits of any of our health-promoting efforts, including the use of specific natural health remedies.

Even after recovering from the chickenpox, parts of the virus still continue to live on in the person's body. When the person is under the right conditions, such as having their immune system damaged or being under a lot of stress, the shingles virus can flare up. Unfortunately, as shingles, it can be even more painful than chickenpox for adults.

Some of the symptoms for shingles include having a fever for a few days, flu-like symptoms, sudden chills, physical fatigue, upset stomach, and the development of blisters on the person's skin. The blisters usually start around the waistline and go from the spine to the chest.

Chronic neuralgia can develop over time if the shingles virus goes into an advanced stage. For that reason, if you have shingles, then it is important to seek professional attention and to monitor the shingles carefully. In extremely rare cases, people with shingles can experience inflammation of the brain, organ malfunctioning, eyesight loss, hearing problems, and even pneumonia.

There are a few treatments available for the shingles virus, as well as some natural options as well. In some cases, antivirals that fight viruses can be used to keep the disease from spreading if they are taken soon enough.

On the natural side of the coin, it is important to keep the areas clean and to try to dry the blisters up. This can be done with calamine lotion, an oatmeal paste, baking soda paste, and Epsom salt baths. It is important to try to stop the oozing and blistering, so keeping the scratching of shingles rashes and blisters to a minimum is essential.

Capsaicin has also helped some people with the shingles virus in the past. Capsaicin is the ingredient that is found in chili peppers. Although it might take a couple of weeks before you start seeing the effects of it, it has been known to help with pain relief, as well as in drying the blisters up. It can be purchased in cream form at most health food stores. It is important, however, that when applying it, you don't get it close to your eyes, and to wear gloves if possible.

Since shingles can cause pain as well as itching, using natural pain relievers such as chamomile tea can help. You can also apply ice packs to your skin in order to numb the nerves to help relieve the pain.

Although it is rare for the shingles virus to become serious, it is very important to see a physician or health care practitioner if the symptoms progress, or if you have any outbreaks around your eyes. Although natural remedies can be useful, it is important that the virus doesn't do permanent damage.

Share YOUR Knowledge and Experiences
or Read Others' Contributions

Click here for natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for shingles.

Click here for more pages and articles on Shingles.

	Get Quality Natural Health Supplements at Reasonable Prices. $5 or $10 discount for new customers
Get natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for hundreds of health conditions and ailments. GO.

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read. Leave a comment in the box below.

Some Related Shingles Pages