Home Remedies For Shingles – Treating Your Skin Naturally

There are a number of different approaches to dealing with shingles at home.

Reducing the duration of illness whilst implementing measures to reduce discomfort are both important in natural treatment of shingles.

A number of options exist that will promote healing and contribute to shortening the length of the illness. Home remedies such as applying a wet dressing to areas of burning sensation, or applying antibiotic ointments to open blisters. It is very important to tend to open blisters as they offer an opportunity for “opportunistic pathogens,” otherwise known as bacteria, to cause further illness. Typically, the skin protects us from this, but the absence of skin means one must be particularly vigilant about avoiding bacterial contamination.

Some foods to avoid are chocolate, nuts, and seeds, as it has been said that they may aggravate the body and impair skin healing (thereby prolonging illness).

Arguably the most significant aspect of shingles is the discomfort by which it is accompanied. Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with this issue. Different methods may provide relief for different individuals, so if one remedy is not successful, do not resist experimenting with others.

In general, avoiding humid areas can reduce the risk of increased inflammation and itching. Itching can be reduced by applying products such as colloidal powder, calamine lotion, or pure aloe vera (be sure to check ingredients of all products as some may be irritating, especially to individuals with some skin breakdown due to itching). Sponging skin or submerging it in water (e.g. in a bath) may also reduce itching. Oatmeal baths are particularly helpful for many shingles sufferers. Application of vitamin E oil, raw honey, or a frozen compress may reduce itching as well as burning sensation.

Dietary choices can also improve skin healing. Foods high in vitamin A help with rebuilding / remodeling of epithelial (skin) tissue – promoting blister healing. One should try to increase intake of chicken, turkey, eggs, milk, and mozzarella. However, one of the best ways to get vitamin A is through ingestion of vegetables, as they do not carry the fat and cholesterol of some of the aforementioned foods. Individuals with shingles should try to eat sweet potatoes, carrots, beetroot, broccoli, spinach, winter squash, kale, sweet bell peppers, oatmeal, tomato juice, apricots, peaches, apples and lemon.

Likewise, healthy foods high in beta carotene include apples, bananas, apricots, avocado, berries, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, spinach, kale, broccoli, mango, leaf lettuce, summer squash, butternut squash, acorn squash, watermelon, peach, nectarine, beef liver, dandelion greens, grapes, and turnip greens. Fortunately for those afflicted with shingles, there are many dietary options that will promote healing!

Certain shingles complications require medical attention, and it is always important to consult a healthcare professional before implementing any treatment protocol. The remedies presented here are excellent ways to treat shingles’ symptoms and promote skin healing so that the condition resolves quickly and without complication. Shingles sufferers will be pleased to discover that their seemingly endless itching is accompanied by nearly endless options for treating this illness.

Author

This article was written for Insights-on-Health.com by Nicole D T, a freelance writer who researches and writes on various topics.