How to Bathe With Shingles

Shingles, or herpes zooster, is a painful viral infection of the nerves. It commonly affects older adults or people with weakened immune systems. Often a rash will appear on one side of the body as a strip, band or small patch. The rashes will often blister and crust over, and may take 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal. A bath of oatmeal or cornstarch will often alleviate some of the pain and itching associated with rashes that appear in shingles.

Things You'll Need

• Cornstarch, baking soda or colloidal oatmeal
• Warm water
• Bath tub

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill up your bathtub with warm water. To avoid irritation, do not use hot water. Place a drop of water on your wrist. You should not be able to feel the heat of the water on your wrist if it is at the correct temperature.

• 2

  Mix in a handful of cornstarch or oatmeal (like Aveno) into the water.

• 3

  Completely submerge the area of your neck and below into the tub. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes.