Health and Fitness Corner

Shingles is usually seen in people who are 50 years and more, but can occur in anyone who has the varicella zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in the body and can resurface as shingles. The cause for the resurface is not yet known, but it can get triggered by certain factors, such as stress, weakened immunity or cancer. The shingles blisters are painful and can also cause chills, fever, diarrhea and headaches. While the blisters are healing and new ones are forming, the person can spread the virus to a person, who has never had chickenpox.

Conventional medication involves providing relief to the person for pain and hastening the healing of blisters. Usually antiviral medications are prescribed, but they should be taken within 72 hours of the initial symptoms cropping up. To alleviate pain, the person is often prescribed OCT non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen. If the pain is particularly severe, the doctor may prescribe prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or narcotic analgesics. For the itching, often corticosteroids are prescribed.

Many of the prescription drugs that doctor prescribe for shingles have side effects associated with them. Hence, there could be some people who are not comfortable taking them. Such people can opt for home remedies to help cope with the symptoms of shingles and hasten the healing of blisters. Most of the home remedies for shingles are simple and use ingredients found in every home.

Applying an ice pack for five to 10 minutes few times a day can help alleviate the pain caused by the blisters and provide a soothing feeling. Taking a lukewarm water bath can also help with the pain.

To heal the blisters, try applying a mix of fresh celery juice, carrot juice and parsley juice. This will also provide some relief from the pain.

Many practitioners of alternative medication claim that making changes to the diet can help with the healing process. Adding more fiber to the diet and eating food with high Vitamin B content can help the person get rid of shingles and its symptoms.

Putting aloe vera gel on the blisters will provide relief from the pain and also cure the rash. The get even helps to remove the scars left behind by the blisters after they have healed.

Finally, putting some calamine lotion on the blisters will soothe the area at once and also reduce the itching. In fact, calamine lotion was regarded previously as one of the most important treatments in shingles before conventional medicine overtook it.

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Kum Martin is an online leading expert in health and medicine. He also offers top quality articles like:
Shingles Vaccine Effects, Shingles Contagious Stage

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