You start having pain, itching, burning, and possible numbness on your body in one area. You may even start feeling like you have the flu. You start to see fluid-filled blisters on your skin. You can’t figure out what is going on. Well, you might have Shingles. Don’t panic–we can help you sort through the treatment options and give you pain relief techniques.
What exactly is shingles? Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a common viral disease which affects the nerves and the surrounding skin surface that is attached to the nerves. The virus that causes shingles is the varicella zoster virus. This is the same virus which causes chicken pox. After recovery from the chickenpox, the virus remains in your body and stays dormant in the central nervous system.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus or the attack on a weakened immune system when a person comes in contact with the fluid from a shingles vesicle (blister). The scab that forms once the vesicle has ruptured is not contagious. A distinctive feature is that it affects only one side of the body. Early signs include tingling or severe pain, itchy skin rash, and blisters. The blistering skin rash which typically lasts two to four weeks. Even after this rash dissipates, you may continue experiencing nerve pain for weeks, months, or even years; this condition is called post herpetic neuralgia. This condition is manageable. Read on to learn more.
Conventional Medicine’s Approach to the Prevention and Treatment of Shingles
Prevention
Conventional medical practices suggest that getting vaccinated will help you decrease your chance of contracting shingles. Supporters of the vaccine also suggest that if you do get shingles, the effects on the body will be minimized as a result of being vaccinated. Before rushing to receive the vaccination, be aware that the vaccine contains byproducts and foreign substances that your body may reject. This can cause serious side effects ranging from itching, diarrhea, and even death. So when deciding how you want to protect yourself, be sure and research the vaccination completely and make an informed choice before proceeding.
Alternative prevention is multi layered. You need to keep your immune system strong by implementing the following daily habits:
- eating healthy, whole, real foods
- cutting down or eliminating caffeine
- exercise to move your lymph and detoxify the body
- decrease stress through prayer, meditation, and visualization to boost immunity
- take a whole food supplement such as Super Food 100 by Dr. Schulze daily to help strengthen your immune system
- sleep at least 7 hours each night
If you contract shingles, you can help to prevent the spread by:
- Keeping your body and skin clean
- Avoiding close contact with those who have not had chicken pox or those who have a weakened immune system
- Washing items you touch using boiling hot water so that it kills the virus
Treatment
There is no cure for shingles. The main goal of treatment is limiting the duration and severity of pain, shortening the duration of the shingles episode, and reducing complications. Prescription antiviral medicines such as famciclovir, acyclovir, and valacyclovir are available to help treat shingles. Your doctor may also prescribe steroids to help with inflammation, anticonvulsants, and topical agents. Be aware that all of these agents come with a long list of side effects. Over the counter pain medications such as Tylenol and ibuprofen can be used to help with pain relief. Wet compresses, and even colloidal oatmeal baths can help relieve the itching.
Alternative Treatments
Alternative treatments can help to prevent the side effects of prescribed medications and prevent the medications for having a taxing effect on an already immune-compromised person.
– Take 1 capsule full of Shingles Defense from Hopewell essential oils 2-3 times per day.
– Apply Shingles B Gone from Hopewell essential oils as needed for pain and itch relief.
– Take 4 oz of George’s Aloe twice a day. It tastes like water. Other brands are not so taste friendly, so be aware if you try another brand. This strengths your gut which is where a large portion of our ability to fight diseases starts.
– Focus on eating 50% of your daily calories in RAW fruits and veggies to allow your body to focus on healing and not the dead, processed foods we typically consume.
– Rest. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night and cut out any extra plans so that you can rest and let your body fight off the virus.
– Wet, cold compresses to the skin rash helps reduce pain.
– Colloidal oatmeal baths or packs helps to ease both the pain and the itching. Make your own by buying organic whole rolled oats, not the instant. If you are gluten intolerant, be sure and purchase the gluten free oats. Grind the oats into a fine powder. You can then put them in the bathtub and soak, or make a paste and place it directly over the infected area.
Recurrence of Shingles
Physical symptoms normally resolve within a couple of weeks. While many people do not have a recurrence, it is not uncommon for immune-compromised individuals to see recurrences. Keep your immunity up, take care of your body, and take Shingles Defense from Hopewell essential oils daily to help prevent recurrence.
Should you contract the shingles virus, you now have a plan to strengthen your immune system and allow the body to fight the virus. Shingles can be prevented and managed successfully so you can have a beautiful, Crazy Fun life.
