Shingles (Herpes virus Zoster)

Description

An acute infection caused by the herpes zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is most common after the age of 50 and the risk rises with advancing age. Shingles occurs because of exposure to chickenpox or reactivation of the herpes zoster virus.

Signs and symptoms

Three to four days before skin outbreaks occur, fatigue, fever, chills, skin sensitivity, and stomach upset set in. Shingles produce small, crusty, painful spots along a direct line on the skin, creating a roof, “shingle,” like appearance. Shingles most commonly appear on the ribs, and within the thoracic region. Shingle outbreaks can be serious but usually start to disappear in five days. In seniors, however, pain may last for months, or even years.

Cause

Shingles are caused by chicken pox (in children), pleurisy, Bell ’s palsy, Herpes Simplex, Appendicitis, Intestinal Colic, Gallstones, Colitis, Trigeminal Neuralgia, or contact Dermatitis. All of these conditions should be screened for and properly treated.

Extreme caution: Outbreaks that last longer than fourteen days might be an indication of fundamental immune difficulties, cancer and Hodgkin’s disease, and require immediate medical attention. In addition, see an ophthalmologist if shingles occur near the eyes or forehead because spreading can cause blindness.

Natural Cures

Aromatherapy: Therapeutic massage with essential oils such as lemon, geranium, bergamot, eucalyptus, teas tree, lavender, or chamomile along the affected area provide mild relief.

Diet: Eat an organic, whole-foods diet that places an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables and minimizes carbohydrates and processed sugars.

Herbs: Mix equal parts of oat straw, St. John’s wort, as well as skullcap tinctures and take one teaspoon of this mixture four times a day. Peppermint oil applied topically can also help reduce pain, unless the skin is excessively dry.

Homeopathy: Useful naturopathic remedies consist of Arsen alb., Rhus tox., Sepia, Natrum mur., Hepar sulph., Caladium, and Acidum nit.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of applying water, ice, steam and alternating cold and hot temperatures to restore health. Treatments include total body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation, and the application of warm and cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-treatment program. Many professionals including naturopathic physicians, physical therapists and day spas use Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment routines. We suggest trying several at home hydrotherapy remedies. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these treatments to ensure they are right for you.

*Purified water is essential in any Hydrotherapy remedy. Remedies involving purifying bath water offer clear instructions and remedies.

Juice Therapy: Consume carrot and celery liquid with one tablespoon of parsley juice once or twice every day.

Nutritional Supplements: At the first sign of outbreak, apply zinc oxide along the path of the impacted nerve region two to three times daily. Additional helpful nutrients include L-lysine, vitamin B-complex, vitamin B12, calcium, as well as high dosages of ascorbic acid plus bioflavonoids.

Topical Treatment: Apply apple cider vinegar to the affected area. Using vitamin E topically, helps reduce dry itchy irritation. Snake vaccine made from venom has also been known to take away the pain of shingles.

Optional Professional Treatment

If your symptoms persist despite following the above steps, seek the help of a qualified medical expert. The following professional care treatments have all been shown to be helpful for treating shingles: Acupuncture, Biofeedback Training, Detoxification Therapy, Energy Medicine, Magnetic Area Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Neural Therapy, Orthomolecular Medicine (Vitamin B12 shots combined with adenosine monophosphate), Oxygen Therapy (Peroxide Therapy, Ozone), and Reflexology. (See References for descriptions of these alternative therapies.)