Over the Counter Shingles Remedies

Shingles causes severe blisters on the body or face and produce extreme pain. It is caused by the same herpes virus, vermicelli-zoster, that causes chickenpox. The virus typically lies dormant for many years after someone contracts the chickenpox, usually not until after the age of 50. If you have never had chickenpox, then you will not get shingles. But if you do get this incurable disease, there are some over-the-counter and home remedies for relief of your symptoms.

What It Is

• Although the factors that trigger the manifestation of shingles are not fully understood, it is believed that illness, trauma and stress can kick it into action. People with compromised immune systems are most likely to develop shingles. Conditions associated with weakened immune systems include AIDS or HIV, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is known that shingles is only contagious to individuals who have already had chickenpox.

  The first sign is facial or body pain that appears 1 to 3 days before the rash is seen, usually on either the right or left side. The burning or shooting pain can be severe and usually itches or tingles. There are some rare sufferers who do not experience pain.

  A red rash appears a few days after the first signs of pain. Headache and fever are common. The rash turns into blisters that resemble chickenpox and persist for 2 to 14 days. They are most common on the abdomen, chest, buttocks and back, but often occur on the arms, legs or face. The blisters scab over and collect pus and dark blood. If shingles blisters become infected, healing is usually delayed. Practice good hygiene, and do not scratch them open. The good news is that the blisters usually do not leave scars, and that most people only get shingles once during their lifetime.

  Hearing or vision complications can follow facial shingles. These can cause serious and permanent damage to eyesight or hearing. Shingles can spread to internal organs, causing areas of paralysis and even inflammation of the brain.

  Shingles that persist for more than a few weeks could be evolving into more serious complications and illnesses. Your physician should be consulted at the onset of the disease and will monitor your condition throughout its progression. When treated within 24 hours of onset, the severity and duration of shingles may be significantly reduced.

Over-the-Counter Remedies

• Shingles often clears up on its own within a few weeks without medication for most people, but it is pretty uncomfortable during its rampage. However, there are some steps you can take to ease your pain and misery.

  Cool with calamine, aloe vera or other over-the-counter products intended for relief of burns and insect bites. These remedies soothe, ease the pain and itch, promote healing and can be safely used as needed. Refrigerating the container will assure you of even cooler relief for inflamed tissues.

  You can also promote cooling by applying ice or a bag of frozen vegetables to burning shingles for no more than 10 minutes at any one time, allowing 10 minutes between applications. Cold compresses can be applied for 20 minutes at a time. Wrap the affected area with a towel and pour ice water onto it.

  Stir 1 cup of uncooked oats into a warm bath, and soak for 20 minutes several times a day. Pat dry with a soft towel, but do not rub. Rubbing will irritate, and everything is more delicate when wet. Take care not to break the blisters.

  Desensitize the nerve endings in the area with an aspirin paste. Finely crush 2 aspirin tablets and mix with 1 to 2 tbsp. rubbing alcohol to form a thick paste. Apply to the blisters or scabs 3 times each day.

  Take an anti-inflammatory analgesic preparation, such as over-the-counter Ibuprofen, acetaminophen or even aspirin for pain relief. Dust blisters or scabs with cornstarch or colloidal oatmeal powder where they may be rubbed by clothing.

  Do not pop the blisters, which will not only prolong healing time, but will expose you to infection. Stay in bed and rest as much as possible to allow your body's own natural defenses to rally to your rescue.

  Be nice to others by staying away from anyone that you know or suspect of having some sort of immune problem. These include folks who have had chickenpox, AIDS or HIV, and cancer patients undergoing chemo or radiation.

Shingles Vaccine

• The shingles vaccine may prevent severe and extended bouts for some patients over the age of 60. The expensive product is not right for everyone and is seldom covered by health insurance, but some Medicare allowances are made. This is an option for you to discuss with your doctor.