How to Recognize and Treat Shingles

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Joe Homps

How to Recognize and Treat Shingles

Shingles is an extremely painful infection of the nerves and skin that mainly affects the elderly. The shingles rash is caused by the virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had this common childhood disease can experience a shingles infection. This is because varicella zoster, the chickenpox virus, continues to lie dormant in the nerve cells of the body and can be reactivated many years later to cause a shingles outbreak. That is why it is important to know how to recognize and treat shingles.

The medical term for shingles is herpes zoster or simply zoster. However, the infection is not caused by the same virus responsible for genital herpes. Instead, it is the chickenpox virus that causes shingles when reactivated.

Early Signs and Symptoms of Shingles

The first sign of shingles is itching or pain on one area of the skin. The pain is often described as deep, burning, shooting or stabbing and usually last for a few days. A rash soon develops and turns into fluid-filled blisters that eventually ooze, crust over and then heal. The blisters trace a band across the skin following the path of the affected nerve. Unlike chickenpox, the rash is confined to one side of the body. Shingles rash can appear across the chest, stomach, neck, or down one leg. The outbreak usually lasts three to four weeks.

How to Treat Shingles

Shingles can be very contagious. That’s why it is important to know how to treat shingles. The infection cannot be cured and must run its course, but antiviral medications can help reduce the duration of the outbreak as well as its severity. However, treatment must start immediately within 72 hours from start of the outbreak. Steroids can also help clear the rash in a short time.

Pain medication may also be prescribed to treat the discomfort of shingles. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help relieve the pain. For more severe pain, opioids and topical anesthetics such as lidocaine may be prescribed by the doctor.

It is also important to know how to treat the shingles rash. The area should be kept clean and dry. Regular baths can be taken and the blisters can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Aluminum acetate solution from a pharmacy can help dry the blisters faster.

Shingles normally heals well without complications but if a bacterial infection sets in the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. In rare cases, shingles may develop near the eyes and nose. This must be treated immediately to prevent infections of the eye. It is important to treat shingles in the face without delay to prevent possible blindness.

 

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Your Questions About Shingles

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Joe Homps

Susan asks…

shingles disease?

what is shingles and how does it effect your health?

/

admin answers:

Shingles is a localized infection due to the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. It occurs only in people who have had chickenpox in the past and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella virus. Why the virus reactivates in some individuals and not in others is unknown.

The disease is primarily seen in the elderly, but occasionally it occurs in younger individuals. It affects both sexes and all races with equal frequency and occurs sporadically throughout the year.

Shingles is not usually dangerous to healthy individuals although it can cause great misery during an attack. Anyone with shingles on the upper half of their face, no matter how mild, should seek medical care at once. There is some danger that the virus could cause damage to the eye resulting in blindness. Complications are rare but may include partial facial paralysis (usually temporary), ear damage or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Sandy asks…

What should I include in a term paper about the disease shingles?

Hi I have to write a 5 page paper about shingles ( 1 pg coversheet, 1 pg bibliography). My teacher didn’t say what to include and just rambled off a few sections. She wrote that we should have introduction, history, diagnosis, treatment, updated info, and etc. Am I missing anything? I want to get a really good grade on this project. How should I go about writing this. I don’t know how to organize my outline. Help please.

admin answers:

You should have it properly organized. First, some history of the disease, who discovered it, why is it named “shingles” etc. 2, what is its appearance and where does it normally appear, what are its symptoms, what kind of discomfort or incapacity does it cause,3 how soon should diagnosis and treatment be sought, and who should be seen(gp, specialist, dermatologist?), 4 what is the standard treatment protocol, and what is going on in research for advancing treatment regimens, or dealing with really extreme cases that do not respong readily to the standard program. Conclude with prognisis for further improving treatment options, and suggestion for preventing recurrence.

John asks…

Is shingles bad when you have an autoimmune disease?

Just curious if its bad when you are already being treated for autoimmune (Addison’s Disease)? and the shingles are in your mouth?

admin answers:

Any treatment for an autoimmune disease which suppresses the immune system can cause the chickenpox virus to reappear (as shingles). If the shingles is in your mouth I would seek immediate medical attention, especially if you also experience ear pain and facial paralysis. This is known as Ramsay-Hunt syndrome.

Jenny asks…

Can you get the disease shingles from actual roof shingles?

Not that I really care…I have a tile roof.

admin answers:

Lol, I think it’s safe to say you can NOT get shingles from roof shingles…….:)

Lisa asks…

can a person with Shingles disease cause others to get chicken pox?

admin answers:

As already mentioned, yes. This is because it is the same virus that never clears. It just becomes dormant and than reappears later in life. Kind of like how people get cold sores randomly, same situation. The virus waits for an oppurtune time to come out of hiding and reinfect. Hence the name Varicella/Zoster virus. Varicella being the chickenpox and Zoster being the shingles.

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Watch NFL Online

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Joe Homps

Watch NFL Online

Article by Chris Shingles







If you are wondering how to watch all NFL games without missing any game and at the same time you are traveling a lot then the only option you have is to Watch NFL online. If you are a soccer fan and do not want to miss any game but due to the job constraints you need to travel during the NFL season and are not sure whether you will have access to Television or not, then the remedy for you is to get a software loaded in your laptop that will allow you to watch NFL online.

Not only due to traveling, you might not be able to watch all the NFL games on TV even while staying at home because there are different favorite channels for different members in your family and not all of them may be football lover as you are. In such cases, you may have to miss few games to enable other members in your family watch their favorite TV shows. What more, the NFL games are generally aired on pay channels and they charge hefty sums of money to telecast that channel on your TV.

If you have a laptop and an internet connection, you can go ahead and buy a software program for satellite TV. You do not need any extra set of hardware or a TV card in your laptop to watch NFL online. A fast internet connection, preferably broadband connection is needed in order to get good quality picture and sound. You will be even pleased to note that you just need to pay a one time set up fee for installing and setting up this software and no recurring monthly payments as in case of Cable TV. Once you get the software installed in your computer, you can not only watch NFL online, but at times you can also watch your favorite TV show on your laptop streaming.

Satellite TV for PC is one such software which can enable you to watch NFL live on your laptop and can also help you watch other programs. In case you want to tune it to your Television set with the help of your program you need to buy one PC-TV card for your PC or laptop. In this way you can even watch NFL online on a big screen TV.

There are also other software and services which allows you to watch NFL live over your computer but you should spend some time researching and finding out a good and reliable software for yourself that will give you uninterrupted coverage of your favorite games and you at times can also please your family members by showing them their favorite TV shows online while traveling.

Watch NFL Online

Watch NFL Games Online



About the Author

To review products I use.

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What is Shingles – Find Out More About This Painful Infection

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Joe Homps

What is Shingles – Find Out More About This Painful Infection

The varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the very same virus that causes chickenpox, as well as shingles. Both diseases are characterized by rash that has a red base surrounding what at first looks like a pimple the explodes into painful and seeping fluid filled blisters.  Shingles is like having chickenpox all over again, but at an angrier pace.

It usually runs it’s course in approximately two weeks, during which the blister builds a crust then heals, sometimes leaving a scar.  After the blister is crusted over, it is no longer contagious.  However, a person who has never had chickenpox and is exposed to an active shingles infection, runs the risk of getting chickenpox.

The VZV virus exists in a latent stage for years after a chickenpox event.  Certain conditions and medications can reactivate the virus to return as shingles.  It is a painful disease that often calls for medical attention to manage the pain and other symptoms.  There are approximately one million cases of herpes zoster in the US per year.

Reports indicate that African Americans have a low incidence of shingles infection than Caucasians.  The exact reason for this is not known.

Initially, the pain is the first inclination of a shingles attack due to damage to the nerve damage, and occurs in the area where the virus has been hibernating, but the rash may not yet have come to the skin’s surface. Other symptoms may include those resembling the flu, such as fever, chills, and headache.

Pain can be mild to severe and is accompanied by the classic red rash that become open blisters that are slower to progress than chickenpox (varicella).  Common locations for this disease are the abdomen and chest areas, and usually on one side following a dermatomal pattern.  This means the blisters follow the nerve route where the virus had been hiding for years.

An often seen complication of herpes zoster (shingles) is PHN, or postherpetic neuralgia which is a painful aftermath of shingles that can last for months or years.  Bacterial infections of the blisters is also a complication related issue.  Keeping these blisters as clean as possible will usually circumvent this occurence.

Our immune system falters as we age, making our body conducive to the development of a zoster infection.  A weakened immune system caused by HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplantation can trigger a bout of zoster.  Once you have had chickenpox, you can get shingles later in life.  Although shingles is thought of as a disease of the elderly, anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles including children.

Shingles is diagnosed by laboratory blood tests, as well as making note of it’s characteristics, such as appearing on only one side of the body.

Treatment involves the use of medications such as antivirals, steroids, antiepileptic and antidepression meds, analgesics, as well as skin lotions and creams to soothe painful blisters and sensitive skin areas.

A licensed registered nurse with great passion for writing, Barb Hicks loves to share her experience about Shingles Treatment with others. You can find more of her lessons including Shingles Images on Clivir.com.

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Herpes and Cold Sore Treatment

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Joe Homps

Herpes and Cold Sore Treatment

Article by Delightsquare







Herpes is recognized as a collection of viruses that causes painful sores and swelling, it is generally caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpes is classified in various ways such as cold sores (it spreads around the mouth), gentile organs (it usually spreads around the sexual organs) and Herpes zoster (it causes chickenpox and shingles). Herpes is simply transmitted by straight contact with the body fluid of a contaminated person. Transmission may also occur through skin-to-skin contact throughout the periods of asymptomatic shedding. Herpes frequently spreads from one part to other part in your body such as from your genitals to fingers.

Symptoms of Herpes:

• Inflated lymph glands in the groin.• Headaches.• Fever.• Back pain.• Muscle aches.

The virus (HSV) initiates to multiply when it gets into the skin cells and is transmitted during close personal contact through the exchange of saliva, semen, cervical fluid etc. The skin becomes red and sensitive. The sore heals, when the formation of new skin tissue generates. The first sign of these sores are a scratchy sensation in the affected areas. In case of primary oral herpes sores can occur on the lips and can also infect the tongue. The blisters or sores ultimately burst as painful sores, emerging as a yellowish membrane before healing and disappear within 3-14 days. Symptoms for genital herpes involve a burning feeling during urination, lumps and sores may occur in many sexual organs.

Treatments:

Many patients are able to expect an outburst, when they experience the warning signs such as consciousness and pain etc. Although there is no cure for herpes but some drugs are usually second-hand for the treatment of oral herpes and gentile herpes. In case of oral herpes antiviral pills are used for the treatment of cold sores. Penciclovir cures herpes simplex virus 1 sores on a standard about half a day faster, at an early indication of pain acyclovir cream performs best if used in advance. In case of gentile herpes antiviral drugs named as nucleosides or nucleotides are the foremost drugs that are used for the treatment of herpes and are generally taken by mouth. A patient suffering from herpes for the first time, he / she should take drugs numerous times a day for 7-10 days. In case of making outbreaks smoother, it is essential for you to take pills on long term basis for the treatment of herpes. The most popular and effective home remedies for herpes is rubbing of ice cubes on the affected area for few minutes and intake of peppermint tea, provides instantaneous healing effect and also helps in reducing the pain and fever caused by herpes.

Oral herpes is generally caused by HSV1 virus, the highest occurrence of first infection occurs between 6 months and 3 years of age. The occurrence in children varies among regions and countries, with the highest rate occurring in unsanitary regions. After the infection herpes simplex virus enters the nerve cell and travels up the nerve until it comes to a place, where it becomes active and infects the skin.



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What Are The Causes of Shingles?

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Joe Homps

What Are The Causes of Shingles?

A lot of us has experienced having chickenpox, a highly contagious viral infection. Your body gets covered with lots of lesions and watery blisters and you feel feverish, experience headache, and sometimes even nausea. You are also probably aware that once you get infected with chickenpox, your body becomes immune to the virus, meaning you will not experience chickenpox symptoms a second time.

What you may not be aware of is that the body does not get rid of the actual virus. Instead it goes into your nervous system, and then just stays there for a long time. What’s worse, if triggered, the chickenpox virus changes itself into a shingles virus, which then results in a shingles outbreak, a much more painful infection.

Shingles is characterized by an outbreak of reddish spots or bumps clumped together, in contrast to the more widespread effect of chickenpox. The spots then become watery and turn to tender blisters after some time. After that, they finally dry up and become scabby. You won’t normally experience fever or headache that usually accompanies chickenpox. Instead, you will experience intense pain at the infected are. This is because the nerves become inflamed and damaged by the virus traveling to the surface of the skin.

Nobody really knows what triggers the chickenpox virus to evolve into shingles virus, but some researchers think that several specific factors help trigger the virus to change from its dormant state based on the fact that the presence of these factors are associated with a higher occurrence of shingles.

Many patients that have shingles report having them during times when they are stressed, either due to work or other factors. Shingles have also been reported to erupt on patients experiencing fatigue. Majority of shingles patients are over 50 years old and a small portion of the patients are children. A significant portion of the patients had shingles while they have another disease, such as flu or colds. People constantly taking medications for other diseases are also likely to have shingles. Cancer patients and people undergoing radioactive treatments are also more vulnerable to shingles. Shingles can sometimes occur around injured parts of the skin.

All of these factors have one thing in common: a weak immune system. The immune system of the body is crucial in keeping the virus in its dormant state. A decrease in performance of the immune system allows the virus to reactivate and cause the symptoms to appear.

 

Learn more about how to get the <a target=”_new” rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.clivir.com/lessons/show/shingles-vaccine-medicare-coverage-and-cost-information.html”>shingles vaccine</a> and view <a target=”_new” rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’]);” href=”http://www.clivir.com/lessons/show/what-does-shingles-look-like-pictures-of-shingles.html”>shingles pictures</a> by visiting our website today!

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Herpes, cold sores and shingles ? Taking charge with Valtrex

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Joe Homps

Herpes, cold sores and shingles ? Taking charge with Valtrex

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Valtrex is one of the most powerful antiviral oral pills used for the treatment of a series of health conditions caused by the herpes virus. The medicine is licensed by the FDA to treat genital herpes, cold sores, shingles and chicken pox. But you need to consult your doctor and get a prescription before you can buy the drug.

 

Valtrex for genital herpes

Genital herpes (colloquially called herpes) is so far an incurable sexually transmitted disease. Caused primarily by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) II, herpes infection spreads rapidly through person-to-person contact. What Valtrex does is reduce the multiplication of the herpes virus in your body, so that symptoms do not occur frequently. It does not eliminate or kill the virus, it only lessens the severity of herpes infection and prepares the natural defense mechanism of your body to ward off the symptoms. The drug also reduces the chance of infection spreading to your partner when you’re affected and vice versa.

 

It is recommended that the medicine should be taken once a day to lower the risk of herpes transmission. The standard 500mg dose, when taken upon your doctor’s advice, can prevent herpes outbreaks. You are advised to take the medicine for 5-10 days to suppress the virus.

 

How effective is Valtrex for cold sores?

Cold sores or fever blisters as it is commonly called, is caused mainly by HSV-II. Valtrex is proven to be an effective remedy for this condition. A 1000mg dose twice on the first day and once a day for the next two days can give you relief from this unsightly and painful infection. Children under 2 years of age should be given the prescribed dose twice for one day only.

 

How does Valtrex treat shingles?

Shingles is also a HSV-borne infection in adults. The symptoms may include rashes on either the posterior or the frontal part of the body, accompanied by an irritable burning sensation. It becomes highly contagious if the rashes burst after turning into blisters. The pain that follows can be quite unbearable and it may last for long even after the rash is gone.

 

Valtrex helps heal the rashes faster to bring relief to you. But you should remember that the medicine does not cure shingles by getting rid of the herpes simplex virus from your body. The virus may become dominant anytime in future.

 

Can Valtrex prevent recurrences of all herpes types?

Valtrex is only a suppressive drug that controls the spread of infections caused by the herpes simplex virus. It does not cure any of the health conditions discussed above. To minimize the risk of recurrences, you need to follow a healthy lifestyle in general. This is because the medicine only works for people who have healthy immune systems. People with impaired immune systems, as in those with HIV and kidney problems, won’t be benefitted by Valtrex. Also, organ transplants tend to weaken your body’s natural immunity. So Valtrex therapy for preventing HSV infections from occurring in future will not be helpful if you ever had your kidney or bone marrow transplanted.

 

Author of the article is associated with 121doc online clinic. 121doc offers prescription medications for a variety of health conditions including Genital Herpes.

Valtrex 500mg is clinically proven treatment against herpes, shingles and cold sores. This treatment has been approved by FDA to clear up symptoms of genital herpes

.

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Your Questions About Shingles

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Joe Homps

Thomas asks…

I have a question about {possible} shingles in a teenager……?

My 15 year old daughter is getting a rash on her side that looks as if it could be the beginning of shingles. It itches but is also very painful. I touched her about 2 inches below the rash and it hurt her really bad there, too. I am taking her to the doctor first thing tomorrow to find out exactly what it is but I just wondered if anyone knows the beginning signs/symptoms of shingles. Any help would be appreciated. I can find pictures of it and a description of what it is but not really any details of what it feels like when getting it. Is there anything I can do to help her feel better tonight?
Wow, I love it how people who talk so big on here are always the ones who have their e-mail blocked.
I am not asking anyone to diagnose her, I am only wondering about what it feels like in the beginning. Of course if anything were going on that I was worried about or if she were in a lot of pain, I would take her in tonight instead of first thing in the morning. Read the entire question. And I thought that this is what this was here for. To get answers from people who may have had experience with things that you haven’t. It’s not like I came on here and asked about my 3 month old child who hasn’t eaten in three days and has a 104 fever and what should I do. If you don’t like to answer simple questions and be helpful to others then stay off of Answers.

admin answers:

My daughter had shingles once….and yes, she had chicken pox as a child.

She described the beginning stage as extremely painful and a burning sensation in the area that broke out.

You are right in getting her to a doctor. About the best you can do is keep anything from touching the area while she sleeps tonight and maybe some tylenol.

Betty asks…

What happens if I don’t take medicine for SHINGLES?

Okay, so I guess after doing my own diagnosis and looking up pictures and reading symptoms, I’m pretty sure I have shingles. They are these little blisters and rash on the right side of my hip and it is only on that one side. I also have constant throbbing/stabbing pains and they don’t hurt THAT much, but it is noticeable.

Anyways, I’m sure it’s been more than 72 hours since the rash appeared. Actually I think it’s been about 4 or 5 days now. I thought it would just go away because I thought it was acne but I guess not. I don’t think I can visit a doctor tomorrow, but maybe Tuesday. If I do not visit a doctor and take the prescribed medicine/anti-biotics, what will happen to the shingles? Will they just go away in a few weeks? I read that they will just crust and flake off, but it can lead to long term damage in regards to skin damage and nerve damage. Is it imminent to see a doctor, even if it is 5-6 days later? The reason I also ask is because it’s a big deal for me to see a doctor (I have to not go to school [I’m in university] and take the day off work)

admin answers:

My dad had untreated shingles. A grown man crying in pain is not a good sight.

Sandy asks…

I have a question about shingles..someone please help!?

I have recently been diagnosed with the shingles. I am very paranoid that I have been misdiagnosed. I have been having pain and the sores hurt and itch and burn. But the sores don’t look like pictures that I have seen. I feel as if I am getting worse. Now I feel pain all over not just where the sores are. Also I have been running a fever, aches, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea. Are these normal symptoms of the shingles? Could I possibly have something else? I feel as if I have been hit by a bus. I have never felt so sick in my life! Also are there better pain medications besides lortabs and demerol? I have tried both but they do not seem to be effective.

admin answers:

It certainly does sound like shingles. It is a miserable condition. You need to talk to your doctor about the pain medication. When my friend had shingles he saw a pain management specialist and then had much better pain control.

These links have more information about shingles.

Http://hubpages.com/hub/ShinglesContagious
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-symptoms
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shingles/DS00098/DSECTION=symptoms
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/shingles/article_em.htm

Lizzie asks…

Lymes disease or shingles? Please help?

Last week i noticed a cluster of blisters on the inner side of my thigh just above my knee, i had twisted my knee a few days before and had been having a deep extremely sharp “nerve/muscle” type pain. after a few days of the “rash” getting worse i went to the Dr, she said she thought it was lymes disease and took blood. The blood came back negitive but my Dr still thinks this is lymes, my only symptoms are a rash in a line from my inner knee that wraps acrossed the top of my thigh and extreme pain. I really dont think this is lymes, after some research on line and seeing pictures i really think this may be shingles. Any help would be great….Thank you

admin answers:

Your doctor sounds like an idiot. The rash sounds nothing like Lyme disease, and everything like shingles.

By the way, to respond to one of the previous posters, Lyme disease is usually not fatal, but does cause a lifetime of pain, fatigue, and often memory problems if not treated properly. And you would not necessarily know right away if you have Lyme disease. The Lyme disease rash is noticed in only a minority of cases. And it only has a black spot in the middle if the tick is still attached. My husband had Lyme disease for at least 6 years before it was correctly diagnosed.

Michael asks…

Ok, I have/had these symptoms, is there any indication it likely “isn’t” herpes?

Aside from the obvious negative test result from the skin culture, but more on that later.

Back in September I saw a rash of sorts on my body that concerned me. I would have figured it was run of the mill foliculitis (as I get it from time to time and have learned to ignore it mostly if it’s something I have seen beofre), but it seemed patterned/clustered a bit oddly and a bit more redder than usual (although possibly still centered on follicles). I don’t remember how they first formed, but I want to say it did seem like run of the mill pimples to start. And to add, they never tingled, burned or itched (well they itched a little simply because they were right where my underwear band is).

Anyway, that would have likely not been enough alone to concern me, but then I got the flu shortly after…or possibly “flu like symptoms“, including lower back pain (and a stiff neck too though). It just seemed far too coincidental and well timed. However at the same time, maybe I was just noticing a pattern where there was one.

The flu seemed like the flu, and my fever was high, certainly not mild, I even threw up (trying to see if a very high fever or other symptoms like nausea is possible signs of an actual flu over a herpes outbreak symptom).

Anyway, as soon as I was feeling better from the flu, I went to the doctor, he looked at it, said it did look a little “interesting” and that he may want to also test it for shingles, but that it seemed like it was likely nothing. He rubbed it very hard with the swab to get a deeper sample (re-irritating it, which in hindsight is probably why it didnt heal a bit faster) and tested it and it did come back negative.

Anyway, what I am curious about, is there anything in here that hints that it possibly isn’t herpes? Any symptom, or lackthereof that would affirm it probably was nothing because herpes either would or wouldn’t do that?

Oh, and I also have pictures I took just in case I needed them:

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/4176/384z.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9046/385s.jpg
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6034/386h.jpg
http://img602.imageshack.us/img602/8025/387h.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2730/388hn.jpg

forgive the shoddy photography, I was using my phone.

People often say if you get herpes and it manifests it you’ll KNOW. I guess that fact alone should indicate I probably don’t have it, because I didn’t feel any pain from the red bumps and the skin test came back negative (although I am not sure how much I trust it because I didnt go in as early as I could have).

So basically with all this evidence (some for but also some against) can anyone weigh in? At this point I’d just like a little piece of mind, as I have already gotten the proper test. But I keep dwelling on all those coincidental symptoms involving the flu, and the back pain and all that. I have looked at countless herpes pictures comparing them to my own, but most are very severe (aka gross) examples and difficult to provide any real help, just alarmed me more. Also probably best to keep in mind it was just the beginning of flu season, I even remember hearing an ad on the radio that flu shots were about to start, so maybe I am just that unlucky 😛 .
Fridays, I would like to discuss with you more why you think specifically it isn’t HSV2, but to address your point about the lack of hair, I believe from what I recall it is possible I was grooming that area. My initial thought was that you were attempting to point out there were not follicles there so I wasn’t sure. Since nothing like this has happened before I do not know if the jean band is why that area became irritated like that though.

As for the shingles comment, that was far less my concern, I only brought it up because the doctor did when he looked at it, making it only bother me that the rash had “inspired” him to check for something else other than HSV2, however, I never was very concerned about the shingles stuff, thank you for the explanation though.

Also thank you for clarifying that my flu was not very likely a “flu-like” symptom, although I have not been able to read anywhere any hard differences between an outbreak inspired flu and a real one, it’s good to know there
To respond to candice’s comment, normally the culture would be enough to put me at ease, but the sheer coincidence of all the symptoms (flu-like stuff) happening right around then, even if it was the beginning of flu season, has made me concerned.

I am wondering if I got it swabbed in time (obviously getting there while I was sick was difficult, and while the red dots did take a while to heal and go away. I am nervous that perhaps I got a false negative because I didn’t get it swabbed early enough).

True, if I remain asymptomatic and don’t get a recurrence I probably shouldn’t worry (and it has already been 4-5 months, and considering the average person gets on average 4 or so recurrence in the first year, it is looking less and less like that was an outbreak).

However, it would still be nice to hear that my description could easily not be herpes and is not as suspicious as it seems to me. That plus the pictures I figure would help people discount it based on that possibly.

admin answers:

It does not look like herpes, either the genital variety or shingles.

Shingles would run in stripes or bands across your body or face, as that is where the virus lives and would be very painful and irritating.

One thing that stood out for me from your photos is that none of these lesions had hair growing in them, whereas the surrounding skin does. This makes me wonder if it is just chafing from your underwear or jeans, that has rubbed away hair and skin, and caused infection and inflammation.

Your symptoms do describe a flu, given the high fever and aches and pains all over your body. A shingles outbreak is heralded by a tingling sensation across the skin where the affected nerves are, followed by an outbreak of blisters that cause a lot of pain, burning and itching. The only time I have ever seen a fever with shingles was on an elderly man with facial shingles who was heading for a nasty case of encephalitis ( a brain infection).

Rest easy, perhaps try wearing your pants a little higher or lower or looser, try to prevent sweating across the waist band, as this can aggravate chafing.

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Guide to the Best Herbal Remedies for Various Skin Conditions

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Joe Homps

Guide to the Best Herbal Remedies for Various Skin Conditions

Did you know that many, perhaps 75%, of all conventional medications are refinements of herbal medicines? One example of this is the isolation of morphine from opium in 1806. This was the first time that chemical methods were used to extract the active chemical constituents of an herb. The chemical processes used to isolate morphine led to the production of codeine, the widely used cough suppressant. There are countless examples of commonly used medications which come from various plant materials, some of which can often be found right in your own backyard.

Although you should always consult your physician for medical conditions before using any treatment, natural or synthetic, the purpose of this article is to inform you of the various botanically-derived remedies that may be considered for treating some of the most common skin problems. There are many advantages to using herbs rather than the drugs derived from them. A standard medication consists of one, or occasionally two, medically active chemical compounds, plus carrier compounds and a buffer. Herbs and herbal formulas usually contain at least dozens, and in many cases, hundreds, of active ingredients. The many active ingredients act on the body, and on one another, simultaneously. This serves to make the primary active ingredients of the herb more effective. It also serves to prevent the toxic reactions that can lead to side effects. Herbal remedies are more likely to correct conditions without creating additional problems.

Although there are many techniques for making herbal remedies, for the purpose of skin and hair treatments and to simplify the process for home remedy use, I recommend purchasing the herb in the form of its essential oil. Essential Oils are highly concentrated extracts of the herb and can be purchased in small dropper bottles at your local nutrition store or online. Just one drop of essential oil is often equal to 1 full ounce of the plant.

Before applying essential oil to skin or hair, you must ALWAYS dilute the oil first. A carrier (or base) is used for this purpose. The carrier can be a natural oil like olive, jojoba, apricot kernel or similar oil. You could also use your favorite unscented lotion or shampoo or conditioner as a carrier base. I often use organic aloe vera gel as a base for treating skin conditions because of the extraordinary healing benefits of the aloe vera plant. I also prefer the use of aloe vera gel because it is not oily or greasy on the skin.

A good rule of thumb for diluting the essential oil into the carrier base for the purpose of treating a skin ailment is to use about 8 to10 drops of essential oil to 1 full ounce of the carrier base. If you are using more than one type of essential oil, then divide the drops evenly to equal 8 to10 drops total of the various essential oils to 1 full ounce of the carrier base.

Below is a list of 40 herbs, each with its summary of healing benefits. Simply choose between 1 to 3 herbs to use for the particular ailment you are treating and add the appropriate number of drops to your carrier base as explained above. Stir it or shake it to blend the ingredients well and store in a tightly sealed container. Apply it to the affected area 2 to 3 times per day.

Aloe Vera:
Greatest natural source of alpha hydroxy acid. Hydrating, soothing, moisturizing and healing for all skin types. Aloe Vera has extraordinary healing properties, is anti-inflammatory and can soothe the skin and help heal cuts, grazes, burns, radiation burns and insect bites.

Angelica:
Good for dull, irritated, inflamed skin, psoriasis, and fungal infections.

Basil:
Conditions the hair and stimulates hair growth, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-infectious, antibiotic, very good insect repellent and also good for acne.

Bergamot:
Good for eczema, herpes, acne, psoriasis, skin infections, cold sores, blisters, shingles, and chicken pox. Antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory.

Burdock:
Excellent for boils, eczema and chronic skin and hair problems. Prevents body’s own immune system from attacking the skin, kills streptococcus bacteria and many disease-causing fungi that infect cracked skin. Add to shampoo or conditioner as a scalp treatment to improve hair strength, shine, body, and to combat hair loss, itching and/or dandruff.

Calendula:
Excellent skin healing herb, natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, fungicidal. Excellent for burns, cuts, eczema, oily greasy skin, bruises, soothes skin, inflammations, insect bites, rashes, wounds, cracked dry skin, stretch marks and diaper rash.

Cedarwood:
Cleansing properties, antiseptic, anti-fungal, good for oily or blemished skin, natural astringent used in acne treatments. Relieves eczema, psoriasis, skin inflammation, dandruff, insect bites, hair loss, dry or oily hair, softens the skin.

Chamomile:
Chamomile is excellent for many types of skin conditions as well as severely infected skin. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, good for hypersensitive skin, eczema, skin rashes, acne, rosacea and allergic skin reactions. Brings out natural brightness and highlights in hair when used in a shampoo.

Chickweed:
Chickweed is excellent for sores, abscesses, skin irritations and rashes. Chickweed has an anti-inflammatory action similar to cortisone.

Cinnamon:
Good for infections, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, warts, anti-viral

Citronella:
Insect repellent, keeps away mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other insects.

Clary Sage:
Regenerates skin cells. Good for oily skin and hair, blemishes, mature, wrinkled or inflamed skin, acne, boils and puffy skin.

Cypress:
Natural astringent and antibiotic. Good for mature skin, oily skin and acne. Stimulates cell regeneration.

Comfrey Root:
One of the most valuable plants in both cosmetics and medicine. Regenerates aging tissues.

Eucalyptus:
Antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-infectious and anti-parasitic. Regenerates skin cells. Good for insect bites and rashes.

Everlasting:
Excellent for acne, scar tissue, mature skin, stretch marks, spots, warts, old scars, dermatitis, broken veins and burns. Antibacterial properties.

Frankincense:
Good for dry, mature, aging skin, acne, scars, reduces wrinkles, balances out oily skin, healing for all skin types. Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, natural astringent.

Goldenseal:
Excellent anti-fungal with antibiotic properties that fights secondary bacterial infections.

Gotu Kola:
Good for wounds, scarring and psoriasis. Stimulates the regeneration of skin cells and underling connective tissue, beneficial effect on collagen and inhibits its excessive production in scar formation, accelerates the healing of burns and skin grafts and minimizes scarring.

Grapefruit:
Used for acne, athletes foot, tones and tightens skin, antiseptic, disinfectant, detoxifier and anti-infectious. Good astringent for oily skin and hair, aids in hair growth.

Green Tea:
Natural anti-oxidant used in cosmetics expecially to reduce the puffiness around the eyes. Also has astringent properties.

Hibiscus:
Natural source of Vitamin C and malic acid. Used by the to treat wounds, dandruff and stimulate hair growth. Has antibacterial properties.

Hyssop:
Good for acne, bruises, cuts, wounds, dermatitis, eczema, inflammations, scars, and cell regeneration.

Jasmine:
Used for sensitive, mature, aging skin and stretch marks. Beneficial for dry, greasy, irritated skin.

Lavender:
One of the most popular herbs, lavender is excellent for many skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, sunburn, insect bites, infections, rashes, infected hair follicles, pimples, black heads and light forms of acne. Antiseptic, analgesic, antispasmodic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, anti-infectious, antitoxin and anti-parasitic

Lemon Balm:
Good for infections, acne, boils, warts; increases shine and growth of hair and nails, antibiotic, astringent, and antiseptic. Beneficial for oily complexions, hair and skin blemishes.

Lemongrass:
Good for infections and acne. Natural astringent, antiseptic, anti-infectious, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal. Also good for enlarged pores.

Myrrh:
Beneficial for inflamed skin, boils, athlete’s foot, chapped skin, mature skin, wrinkles and ringworm.

Neroli:
Scar tissue, improves elasticity and reduces stretch marks. Good facial softener, great for overall skin care, regenerates skin cells and tones mature, dry, sensitive skin.

St. John’s Wort:
Excellent antibacterial and antiviral properties for the treatment of burns, cuts, scrapes, and minor skin irritations. Also may be helpful herpes breakouts.

Palmarosa:
Good for acne, scarring, blackheads, athlete’s foot, eczema and other fungal infections. Antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-infectious, antiseptic, moisturizing, regenerates skin cells, aids in regulating oil production of the skin.

Patchouli:
Natural antiseptic, anti-fungal and antibacterial. Used for dermatitis, athlete’s foot, ringworm, parasites, rejuvenates skin cells, mature and dry skin, scars, eczema, inflamed, cracked skin, acne, eliminates dandruff, repels bugs, and relieves insect bites.

Ravensara:
Natural antiseptic, antiviral, antitoxin, antibiotic and anti-infectious. Beneficial for cold sores, herpes, and shingles.

Rose:
Natural astringent, anti-infectious, antiseptic, astringent, antiviral and emollient. Regenerates cells, heals radiation burns more quickly, good for scarring and for use on all skin types especially mature, dry and sensitive skin.

Rosemary:
Good for infections, acne, skin care and hair care, Natural anti-toxic and antiseptic.

Rosewood:
Anti-infectious, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-fungal. Good for candida, acne, dry, sensitive, inflamed dermatitis, scars, wrinkles, regenerates cells.

Sandalwood:
Used for scarring, acne, dry, aged, chapped skin, soothing as an aftershave treatment, good for dry and oily hair, and increases water retention of collagen. Natural antiseptic,astringent and emollient. Encourages new cell growth.

Tea Tree:
Tea Tree is an important herb extremely beneficial to various skin conditions such as cuts, wounds, abrasions, rashes, insect bites, nail fungus, dermatitis, ringworm, thrush, head lice, boils, cold sores, acne and infections. Can protect skin during radiation treatment, reduces swelling, heals scar tissue, controls oil on the skin, and dries up pus.

Vetiver:
Beneficial for acne, cuts, mature skin, oily skin, dry skin, infections, inflammations, regenerates cells, good for sagging skin, softens and moisturizes

Witch Hazel:
Natural astringent that also tones the skin. For all skin types.

If you are interested in a 100% natural, ready-made herbal skin remedy which incorporates many of the herbs discussed in this article, you may want to consider this handmade product by Viterba Naturals called “Herbal Skin Salve”.

Author reference: http://www.viterbanaturals.com

Natalie A. Decker, Founder and Proprietor of Viterba Naturals Holistic Beauty & Wellness Boutique

“As a student of Herbology and Aromatherapy, and as an Usui Reiki Master and Teacher for over 10 years, I have a love for everything natural and holistic.

I began to make herbal healing salves and providing Reiki Healing Sessions for friends and family several years back, and although I had no intention of turning my love into a business…such is life!

The name Viterba comes from the Italian phrase “vita del’ erba” which means “Life of the herb”. My parents were born in Italy and so my love for the language has carried over into the name of my company.

I look forward to having you as my lifetime client and I promise to continue to bring to you the finest natural and organic products available from around the globe.”

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Herbal Medicines For Mononucleosis, Herps, and Shingles

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Joe Homps

Herbal Medicines For Mononucleosis, Herps, and Shingles

Article by Franchis Adam







Infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) is caused by a type of herpes virus known as the Epstein-Barr virus. It is most commonly seen in young people (hence its nickname: “student flu”). The disease is seriously debilitating and can take several months to clear up.

Extreme fatigue, fever, muscular aches and pains, sore throat and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck, are the symptoms of this illness.

Treatment

Aromatherapy Massage with essential oils; lavender has antiviral properties and is particularly effective. (Do not massage with oils while patient still has a fever; dilute oils with tepid water and sponge down instead.)

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Homeopathic Homeopathic remedies ean help with specific symptoms, particularly exhaustion, sweating, aches and pains, and depression.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Some sufferers henefit from these therapies.

Diet And Nutrition Eat foods rich in antioxidant nutrients (vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B-complex, and minerals copper, iron, zinc, and selenium). Garlic and ginger can be helpful. Sufferers from mononucleosis appear to have lower than normal levels of essential fatty acids (EFAs). A qualified nutritionist might recommend a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oils to help raise these levels and to alleviate the symptoms of fatigue and malaise. Large doses of vitamin C (up to 100g) given by intravenous injection with the pharmaceutical drug amantadine hydrochloride may remove symptoms and promote recovery. It is the “alternative” treatment of choice in the United States, but must be given by a medical physician.

Counseling, Rrlaxation Techniques, And Meditation All of these therapies are helpful for relieving stress and depression.

Shingles

The herpes zoster virus is the cause of shingles, which occurs when the immune system is weakened and the dormant virus is activated. Symptoms include acute skin sensitivity and a classic rash running around one half of the midriff. The face, neck, and (rarely) eyes may also be affected.

Treatment

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Aromatherapy, Homeopathy,and Acupuncture. All of these therapies are known to be benefical in cases of shingles. Accupunture can be effective in the treatment of postherpetic syndrome after infection.



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