Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Symptoms
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is an acute infection caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Shingles is known for its extreme pain and long healing time, although not all infections are so severe. It typically appears along one nerve branch on one side, along the back and chest or on the face. Before the characteristic skin blistering develops, the skin is highly sensitive and burns with pain a few days or even two weeks before the eruption. Shingles can also begin with general flu-like symptoms of aching, chills and fever. As the condition progresses, the skin becomes red and very painful to touch. When groups of water-filled blisters emerge, the diagnosis is clear. As the eruptions heal, they open and form crusts.
In most cases, recovery takes about two or three weeks after the appearance of the rash, though the nerve pains can last longer. Scarring is not common, though it can occur. Although shingles can resolve as a normal infection does, in some cases and particularly in the elderly, nerve pain lasts years after the skin symptoms subside. Shingles on the face can also affect the eye and cause serious complications. It is more likely to occur in those over the age of fifty, though it appears at any age.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Causes
The pain of shingles is caused by an inflammation of the nerve that lies just beneath the skin's surface. It becomes infected with the same virus which causes chickenpox. After this mild childhood illness, the virus retreats to the nervous system where it remains. It reappears in the form of shingles, only if the immune system is weakened, or as a result of a more severe or lengthy illness, extreme stress, or a therapy involving suppression of the immune system. Overall health and nutrition often determine the severity of illness and length of recovery.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Nutrition
Whole grains and legumes provide B vitamins, which are important for nerve health. Sprinkle nutritional yeast on salads or use in soups. Eggs and fish provide vitamins B12 and B1, which are especially important in treating shingles. Eat yellow, orange and green vegetables, particularly carrots, and citrus fruits for vitamins A and C. These help heal skin lesions. Green, leafy vegetables provide calcium and magnesium, important for the health of nerve endings and the transmission of nerve impulses.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Nutritional Supplements
Vitamin C is excellent for supporting the immune system and acts as an antiviral agent. Take it to bowel tolerance (for more information, see Section 6, Nutritional Supplements). Bioflavonoids improve the absorption and use of vitamin C in the body and should be taken as well. Sublingual B12 tablets should be taken with a B complex, as all B vitamins are essential for nerve function. Vitamin B12 in particular prevents nerve damage. Vitamin E speeds healing, prevents scarring and reduces pain. Oil from a vitamin E capsule can be massaged onto the skin several times daily. If a lingering neuralgia persists once the infection has passed, even years later, higher dosages of vitamin E can reduce pain in certain cases.
Lysine is very effective against the herpes virus. Another amino acid, phenylalanine, relieves pain as it boosts production of the body's own pain-relieving chemicals. Other supplements that help include zinc with copper, and coenzyme Q10. Drink aloe vera juice daily, as well as green drinks.
Daily dosage:
Most Important
Vitamin A, 100,000 IU
(avoid during pregnancy)
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 500 mg every few hours
Vitamin B12, 100 mcg sublingual daily or B12 shots, 6,000 mcg weekly
Vitamin B complex, 50 mg three times daily
Phenylalanine, 1,000 mg three to four times daily
Zinc, 90 mg with 10 mg copper
Coenzyme Q10, 200 mg
Aloe vera juice, 2–4 oz. three times daily
Helpful
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols,
1200–1600 IU as well as daily topical application
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Herbal Remedies
Since shingles affects the nerves, herbal remedies for building up the nerves are a valuable support to the treatment of this disease.
St. John's wort and horsetail juice help rebuild nerves. Take 1 tbsp. of juice daily.
Cabbage-leaf poultices help absorb toxins and speed healing.
Intestinal tract cleansing with 1 tbsp. of black walnut, comfrey, kelp and lady's slipper along with aloe vera juice daily helps remove toxins which irritate the skin.
Drink goldenrod and rose hip tea three times daily to stimulate the kidneys.
Mix 1 part tea tree oil with ten parts olive oil or any other cold-pressed oil. Warm mixture and apply to painful area two to three times daily until pain subsides. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to warm water to wash the affected areas. Pat dry with a cotton cloth and apply drying powder to open blisters or dab on fresh plant extract of lemon balm and calendula.
Echinacea in high dosages works well for pain control. Take 1 tsp. of the tincture hourly or more often as required.
St. John's wort is very good for the treatment of any viral infection and depression and has no side-effects.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Homeopathy
Use the 6c strength, dissolving 2 tablets under the tongue four times daily until symptoms improve.
Rhus tox is useful when blisters emerge that are not only painful but very itchy, and warmth brings relief. The pain is worse at night and less noticeable when moving about.
Arsenicum album is another common remedy for shingles that are relieved by warmth and are worse at night, causing great restless anxiety. The skin burns with pain.
Mezereum helps itchy, oozing crusts to heal. The itching is worse with warmth. Lasting neuralgic pains that shoot along the nerve after the skin has healed are often helped by this remedy.
Use Ranunculus bulbosus for severe burning and itching, which gets worse from touching the skin, moving about or eating.
If swelling and stinging pains predominate, improve with cold and become aggravated by heat, use Apis.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Tissue Salts
Take 4 tablets under the tongue four times daily.
Ferr phos is effective in the first stage of inflammation with burning pain.
Kali phos is the chief tissue salt for shingles with watery, itchy blisters, especially if due to overexcitement, stress or worry.
Nat mur is indicated when the blisters are filled with clear, watery substance and there is burning and itching.
Alternatively, use Kali mur if the blisters contain white pus.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) External/Physical Therapies
Rest in bed during an outbreak.
Apply healing clay or quark compresses.
Vinegar compresses help to relieve nerve pain. After the shingles attack subsides and the blisters dry up, mix 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water, moisten a clean cotton face-cloth with this solution; wring slightly and rub affected area with the moist towel upwards towards the heart. Repeat this procedure uninterrupted for an hour daily, if needed.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Other Suggestions
Intravenous vitamin C can halt shingles before infection becomes serious. It also reduces the pain associated with this disorder.
Zinc ointments applied topically to the blisters speeds healing.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Available Brand Name Products
Nutritional Supplements
Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)
Acidophilus & Bifidus (Natural Factors)
C Extra (Natural Factors)
E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)
Hi Potency Multi (Natural Factors)
Mega Acidophilus Powder
(Natural Factors)
Super Multi Plus (Natural Factors)
Ultra Multi Plus (Natural Factors)
Vitamin A (Natural Factors)
Zinc Citrate (Natural Factors)
Grape Seed Phytosome (Nature's Herbs)
Supreme O-Live (Sisu)
Other Nutritional Supplements
Bee Propolis (Natural Factors)
Aloe Vera Gel (Nature's Herbs)
Aloe Vera Inner Leaf (Nature's Herbs)
Aloe Vera Juice (The Real Aloe Co.)
Herbal Remedies
Horsetail Leaves (Flora)
St. John's Wort Oil Extract Capsules (Flora)
Echinacea Fresh Juice Extract
(Natural Factors)
Echinacea Tincture (Natural Factors)
St. John's Wort Extract (Natural Factors)
Barley Grass (Nature's Herbs)
Bilberry-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Black Walnut Hulls (Nature's Herbs)
Cayenne-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Echinacea-Golden Seal Combination
(Nature's Herbs)
Norwegian Kelp (Nature's Herbs)
St. John's-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Homeopathy
Apis (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Arsenicum (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Rhus Tox (Nelsons Homeopathy)
External Therapies
Rescue Cream/Bach Flower Remedies
(Bach-Karooch Ltd.)
Bentonite Clay, Hydrated (Inno-Vite)
Basil Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Geranium Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for getting back to me.