Shingles Causes and Symptoms| Home Remedies for Shingles

What is Shingles(Herpes Zoster)

Shingles is a painful viral infection caused by varicella zoster, the same virus that causes chicken pox. After a childhood attack of chicken pox the virus lies dormant in the nerve cells. In adulthood the virus can reactivated, leading to a second eruption of chicken pox. You can develop shingles only if you have had an earlier attack of chicken pox. The characteristic blistering rash follows a line on one side of the body or face, in an area supplied by a particular spinal nerve.

The ailment mostly occurs in people above 50.

You cannot catch shingles from someone who has it. The virus can be transmitted only to someone who has never had chicken pox and only if that person is exposed to the rash – in which case, he may only develop chicken pox, not shingles. The lesions heal and pain diminishes within 3-5 weeks.  See also Healing Shingles Scars.

Symptoms of Shingles

• Extreme sensitivity, tingling and burning pain in one area of skin.
  The pain lasts for 1-3 days and then the pain site begins to redden.
• Headache, malaise, mild chills and fever.
• Small fluid-filled blisters (rash form) break out on reddened skin. Arms, buttocks, torso, face and legs develop rash along a band. In maximum cases the rash appears on only one side of the body.
• Blisters form scabs within 10 days.

What Causes Shingles(Herpes Zoster)

When the immune system becomes too weak due to AIDS, cancer, stress, immuno-suppressant drugs and any other illness it is unable to keep the virus in dormant state.

As a result the virus is re-activated and triggers an attack of shingles. Older people are more likely to be infected.

Home Remedies for Shingles

Shingles cannot be cured, but pain can be relieved considerably.

1. Bacterial infections have to be prevented by using soap and water to keep the rash area clean.
2. If you develop fever or are over fatigued, get some rest.
3. Soak yourself in a bath to which colloidal oatmeal has been added.
4. Over the counter NSAID’S can help relieve discomfort and pain.
5. Though hard to resist, avoid scratching to prevent infection.
6. Reduce pain by using ice pack, or cool wet compresses and later apply calamine lotion for a soothing feeling.
7. After the lesions formed by shingles have completely healed, consult your physician over the use of capsaicin cream (hot pepper extract) to reduce pain.

Preventing Shingles

If you have never had shingles maintain safe distance from active rash of anyone with shingles or chickenpox.

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