Shingles Support Site

admin answers:

There are no home remedies for shingles. You need antiviral medication asap.. Or just let them run their course..usually 2 weeks

admin answers:

You need to go to a doctor, if possible, to make certain it is shingles. There are medications you can take that can help with symptoms. If you don’t have health ins, i understand, but a proper diagnosis is important. An incorrect one can be dangerous. So do as much research as you can on your own, as doctors can be wrong as well.

admin answers:

Capsaicin cream or ointment. Capsaicin is the chemical in red pepper responsible for heat
Cayenne or red pepper is not the only “herbal” remedy which appears to be somewhat effective. The homeopathic remedies developed for Shingles are numerous. For example, Arsenicum album can be taken if the pain of the blisters seems to be relieved by heat and if the pain is worse at night. Iris versicolor is often helpful with shingles infection that is accompanied by gastro-intestinal problems and bumps which appear on the abdomen. If the patient is restless and the rash is itchy rather than burns, Rhus Toxicodendron can be taken in a low potency. All three of these remedies, though many claim to have found them helpful, have never been clinically tested. These remedies are probably best used in conjunction with other types of treatment

A tea or hot compress can be made from Saint Johns Wort and Lavender, both of which are thought to be good restoratives for the nervous system . The reason that Saint Johns Wort is thought to help is that it contains compounds that act as manomire-oxidase enzyme inhibitors. A warm lotion made from the flowers and leaves may also relieve the burning of the Shingles blisters

admin answers:

I’ve had shingles and they are extremely painful. You should go to the doctor and he/she will probably give you antiviral medicines (possibly Valtrex or Famvir), sometimes in combination with corticosteroids, to reduce the pain and duration of shingles. There is not a cure.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive (dormant) in your nerves. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles. Shingles can have long term effect (PHN) so please go to a doctor.

A few herbs have been known to *help* with the symptoms. Cayenne or red pepper, wormwood, St. Johns Wort, Lysine.
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NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR SHINGLES

Cold compresses: Apply towels or washcloths wrung out in cold water (and stored in the freezer if you want them colder) to the lesions.
Lysine cream, available in health food stores, can be applied topically daily or as directed on package label.
Make an ointment of two mashed aspirins mixed with two tablespoons of chloroform (or Vaseline intensive Care). Apply to the lesions and let dry, Calamine lotion can be applied to the lesions.
E capsules can be squeezed directly onto lesions.
Arginine-rich foods such as chocolate, peanuts and nuts, seeds, cereal grains,
IN ADDITION TO YOUR DALLY SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE:
lysine supplements: 500 to 1,000 mg. Three times daily during an outbreak.
Vitamin C: 2 to 3 g. Daily taken 1 g. (1,000 mg.) every six hours at first sign of pain and continued until the lesions clear.
Vitamin E: 600 I.U. Daily.

admin answers:

Antibiotics are the best thing to get over shingles the fastest, not that it will be fast. It will take a couple of months, and a lot of patience.

admin answers:

Because of the severity of the disease, I think that prescription medicine is the way to go. It can be a very painful process to treat and get rid of the virus….
If the side effects are life threatening then you need to contact the doc and talk to him.
Anyone who is elderly and frail has a harder time with drugs…
She will be in a lot of pian if she doesn’t stay on them…..
Call the doc …..and discuss the side effects she is having….

admin answers:

Has he been tested for lupus? It is less common in men, but I have it and I have terrible rashes. ( hive like ones )

Another idea is that he is allergic to something, so allergy testing would be a good idea.

I am very sorry for your uncle. I nearly went mad with hives that lasted for three months. I seriously wanted to die, I itched so bad and constantly.

He also needs to have a skin biopsy of the area if he hasn’t had one already, by a dermatologist. Tell him to hang in there, and if it is lupus….plaquenil is the medication that helped me. It takes a month or two to get into your system….but, it will finally help.

admin answers:

SKIN DISEASES
Eczema, Allergic Dermatitis, Uriticaria, Skin Allergy, Psoriasis, Herpes/Shingles etc.

Note :- Skin affections are merely local manifestations of some constitutional affection. They represent the effort of nature to get rid of some poison in the system, congenital or acquired, which effort should not be suppressed but abetted. The indications for our remedies will not only aid in this by correction of the soil, but also avoid the dangers of suppression by external applications.

Homeopathic Medicines & Treatment for Eczema, Allergic Dermatitis, Uriticaria, Skin Allergy, Psoriasis, Herpes/Shingles etc… :-

#Graphites. [Graph]
our great remedy for all sorts of skin diseases, no doubt often mis-prescribed, and hence frequently disappoints. The symptoms calling for it are very clear; there are moist scabby eruptions on the scalp, face, bends of joints, between fingers and behind the ears. The corners of the mouth and eyes are cracked, bleeding and oozing a gluey, honey-like, thick, tenacious discharge, a fissured eczema is the type. Great itching always accompanies the eruption. The skin may be dry and horny. The hair is dry and falls out. Lycopodium. Dry scaly eruptions. Calcarea carbonica. Eczema on scalp which extends to face. Crusts are white, and on awakening, in the morning especially, the child will scratch furiously.

#Arsenicum. [Ars]
A useful remedy in all cases of skin troubles when the skin is thickened, such as in chronic eczema, psoriasis and chronic urticaria. The sensations are itching, burning and swelling, it also has papules, nettle rash and pimples. Burning sensitive ulcers with offensive discharges. It is almost a specific for hives from shell fish, which itch and burn, and for repercussed hives. Pustules form into scabs. Pellagra may find its simillimum in Arsenicum. Bovista. Baker’s and grocer’s itch, and eruption on the back of the hands. It is also recommended in pellagra, also phosphorus and Argentum nitricum. Sepia. Dry desquamation. Ringworm. Rhus. Vesicles on an erysipelatous base. Clematis. Rawness, worse washing, moist eruption.

#Sulphur. [Sulph]
The great characteristic of this remedy is the aggravation from washing; this, with scratching, makes the parts burn intensely. The skin is rough, coarse and measly, and there is much soreness in the folds of the skin and a tendency to pustular eruptions. Dryness and heat of scalp, with intense itching, especially at night, and scratching causes soreness; wetting makes it burn. Eczema erythematosum. Eruption of yellow crusts. Eruption at the margin of the hair. Dearborn says Sulphur 6 will cure more pruritus than any other drug. It is our great antiseptic. Selenium. Itching in folds of skin and about ankle joints. Hair falls out with eczematous eruptions. Antimonium crudum. Thick callosities on the skin. Deficient growth of nails. Honey colored crusts on heads of children; cracking in the nostrils and corners of mouth. Antimonium tartaricum. Variola. Impetigo of scrotum. Thuja. Warts and eczema following vaccination. Also an excellent remedy in the higher potencies for acne facialis. Natrum muriaticum. Dry scaly or herpetic eruption of little water blisters in bends of joints, hydroa labialis, fever blisters. Moist eczema without much itching. The Natrum muriaticum patient continually suffers from “hang nails.” (Hepar, Rhus, Natrum muriaticum, Arsenicum, cold sores.) Herpes circinatus. Eczema, with thick scabs oozing pus. Urticaria, with itching about the joints when occurring, with intermittent fever worse at seashore. Kreosote. Eruptions on the extensor surfaces of joints. Berberis aquifolia. Scaly pustular eruptions on the face. It is one of the most reliable remedies in the cure of psoriasis. Hydrocotyle. Great dryness and desquamation of the epidermis. Acne rosacea. Its special field is in psoriasis and Dearborn praises it in leprosy. The writer cured a case of inveterate psoriasis universale with this remedy. Dr. H.V. Halbert, of Chicago, considered Thyroidine in the 3X or 30X potency as worthy a trial in psoriasis. He reports excellent results from its use. Indications are a dry and impoverished skin, cold hands and feet. Psoriasis is a pregrowth symptom of cancer. The condition of the skin should always be noted, being the great organ of elimination of poisons. Borax was considered by Dr. McClatchey as curative of many cases of psoriasis, and indeed it corresponds to many symptoms of this disease. Petroleum. Pictures pure eczema with its thick scabs, oozing pus and rhagades; the skin is harsh and dry, the finger tips crack and the hands chap. It is especially suitable to eczema behind the ears. Use the 12X potency.

#Mezereum. [Mez]
Baehr considers this remedy the best one in crust lactea. There is great itching, which is worse when the patient is warm or wrapped up. There are small vesicles with terrible itching, and the great characteristic is that the secretion dries quickly, producing scabs from beneath which an acrid thick pus oozes. Crusts and itching are the features. Herpes zoster, with neuralgic pains along the nerves. Nux juglans. Tinea favosa on scalp, behind ears, itching worse at night, preventing sleep.

#Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]
Vesicular eruption characterizes Rhus, so it becomes a remedy in herpes, eczema, pemphigus and prurigo. It is useful in right-sided zoster with extensive vesication and perhaps accompanied with rheumatic pains. The skin is covered with numerous vesicles, there is great itching and tingling, the skin is often swollen and oedematous and these vesicles have a red areola around them. The symptoms are all worse at night, in damp weather and in winter. Rapid vesication and angry-looking skin are characteristics. Apis. More burning and stinging and more oedema. Cantharis. Large blisters with smarting and burning. Croton tiglium. Small blisters with much itching. Hughes says that Croton relieves the itching of eczema rapidly and permanently. Anacardium. Small blisters with an umbilicated center. The eruption itches excessively and burns. The remedy has been used successfully in Rhus poisoning. Dolichos. Itching without eruption. The writer has a number of times verified this symptom. It will sometimes control diabetic itching, and it is especially useful in senile pruritus. Worse at night. Worse across the shoulders. Fagopyrum. Itching worse by scratching. With here and there red blotches which are sore. The hairy portions of the body itch more.

#Psorinum. [Psor]
Herpetic eruptions with much itching, worse when getting warm in bed; the skin is dirty, greasy, unwashed in appearance. Tinea capitis, offensive matter oozes out. Sebaceous glands secrete in excess. Eczema more on the sides of the head and face, cheeks and ears. Eruption in the bends of joints. Pustules or boils remaining after itch. A most important remedy in all skin affections and we should not forget Tuberculinum and Syphilinum, for each has its special field and symptoms. Clarke advises the nosodes, especially in leprosy.

#Oleander. [Olnd]
Skin eruptions with gastro-energetic troubles; the skin is very sensitive, slight friction causes chafing and soreness, especially about the neck, scrotum and thighs. Crusta lactea on scalp and back of ears. There is great itching; scartching relieves at first but the parts become very sore. It will be all the more strongly indicated if gastro-enteric symptoms be present. Vinca minor. Eczema of scalp and face, matted hair and offensive odor. A crust is formed, the discharge is retained underneath and causes the hair to fall out or to mat together, forming the plica polonica. Viloa tricolor. Hughes lauds this remedy and rarely uses any other in crusta lactea and impetigo in children. It has crusts with a copious exudation and it is accompanied with offensive urine. Staphisagria. Eruptions worse on the occiput, eczematous eruption on the ears, yellow scabs. Scratching changes the place of the itching. Eruptions forming figwarts or condylomata; especially useful in sickly children after the abuse of mercury.

#Ranunculus bulbosus. [Ran-b]
Vesicular eruptions along the course of the nerve; vesicles filled with serum and burn greatly; large blisters form on a raw surface. Herpes zoster. Pemphigus in the new born. Thickening of the skin into yellow hard horny scabs. Ranunculus sceleratus. Vesicular eruption, with thin, acrid discharge, large blisters.

#Nitric acid. [Nit-ac]
Our great remedy in ulcers when these symptoms are present. 1. Ragged zigzag, often raised edges. 2. Profuse granulations, proud flesh. 3. Vascular, bleeding easily where touched. 4. Splinter-like pains in them. Sycotic excrescences.

#Pulsatilla .[Puls]
An indicated remedy in hives when of gastric or uterine origin, or with diarrhoea and chilliness; hives after eating pork, fruit or buckwheat cakes. Scanty menses. Hives with profuse menses call for Belladonna. Hempel recommends Aconite and Ipecac in Hives. Antimonium crudum. Urticaria of gastric origin. Urtica urens. Intense intolerable fiery itching of the skin from any trifling change in the temperature. Itching swellings on the fingers also indicate Urtica. Face blotched. Note the urinary symptoms which will often accompany. Dulcamara. Suppression of the hives, with catarrhal symptoms arising. Nettle rash, chronic cases always worse at beginning of winter, itching always on exposure to cold air as when undressing. Rhus. Hives, with ague or rheumatism worse in cold air. Bovista. Hives with diarrhoea. Calcarea carbonica. Chronic urticaria, worse from drinking milk. Terebinth. Hives form shell fish. Kali bromatum. Hives or acne, with nervous symptoms. Chloral. A very useful remedy for hives, will often relieve in the form of a grain of Chloral dissolved in a glass of water and a teaspoonful given at a dose. It suits large wheals coming on suddenly from a chill.

#Apis mellifica. [Apis]
Urticaria, with cold or intermittent fever; there is a sudden eruption of welts with terrible itching Lichen and erythema nodosum. Sulphur. Itching hives over whole body, worse from warmth of bed; chronic cases. Radium. Itching all over body, burning of skin as if a fire. Such a general itching very often is a precursor to serious affections. It may even be a pre-growth symptom of cancer.

#Sepia. [Sep]
Brownish spots on the skin. Herpetic conditions about the knees and ankles,in the bends of joints and behind the ears, at first dry, it becomes moist and discharges copiously. Yellow spots, liver spots; urticaria worse from warmth of bed. Ringworms, herpes circinatus. Chronic nettle rash after milk or pork. Tellurium. Ringworm is children. Psoriasis, annular type. Eruption shows bleeding points when scales are removed. Baryta carbonica. Eczema on dorsa of hands, skin rough, dry and chapped. Herpetic eruptions. Sepia is also a remedy in psoriasis.

#Hepar sulphur. [Hep]
Moist eruption in folds of skin and itching in the bends of joints; the skin is extremely sensitive and suppurates easily, and pimples form around ulcers. Humid eczema of the scalp, sore and sensitive to touch. Eczema of the scrotum and genital organs, boils. It is especially useful after the abuse of salves or ointments containing containing zinc or mercury. Graphites is distinguished by not having the sensitiveness. Silicea. Skin suppurates easily. Onchia at roots of nails. Fluoric acid. A powerful antipsoric and produces itching red vesicles with tendency to scale off; very valuable in eczema.

#Kali muriaticum. [Kali-m]
One of the most satisfactory remedies in the treatment of eczema capitis and moist eczemas, especially when chronic and obstinate in character. This observation has been repeatedly verified. Cartier and our Brazilian confreres endorse it. It is also a most useful remedy in acne and in sycotic skin manifestations.

The above article is from :- http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/skin-symptoms-treatment-cure.asp

And please do remember Homeopathy treats the patient not the disease, for more either post the symptoms of the patient or Consult a Reputable Classical Homeopath

Best of Health, Take Care and God Bless

admin answers:

Home Remedies For Shingles

Powder two aspirin tablets and mix it in 2 tbsp of chloroform or alcohol. Apply this paste on the affected area. This will provide good relief.

You can apply wet dressing to soothe the burning sensation

Avoid being in humid areas. Always keep yourself cool.

When blisters get infected, dab them with hydrogen peroxide.

Keep the blisters open and dry. Do not burst the blisters by scratching.

To provide relief, make a solution by mixing 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in 2 cups of water. Use a cotton cloth to moisten the affected areas by using the upward movement.

To prevent itching and to reduce pain you can dust colloidal powder.

You can make a solution by mixing aloe vera gel, raw honey and leek juice to be applied on the rash.

You can also sponge the blisters or rashes by use of vitamin E oil, apple cider vinegar, cool goldenseal, mugwort or peppermint tea.

Baking soda and water solution can also be applied as a cold compress.

Apply a mixture of yogurt and zinc oxide along the particular path of the nerve. If it is applied before the outbreak it would help to curb the outburst of blisters.

Avoid food which contain amino acid such as chocolate, cereal grains, nuts and seeds

Eating pear of having its juice in ample amounts is good, as it has a great supply of antiviral caffeic acid.
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Make a calamine liniment. This recipe comes from James J. Nordlund, M.D., a professor and chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. You might be able to get your local pharmacist to make it for you.

Add to calamine lotion, 20 percent isopropyl alcohol and 1 percent each of phenol and menthol. If the phenol is too strong or the menthol too cool, dilute the liniment with equal parts of water.

“Use this as often as you want in the course of a day until the blisters are dried and scabbed over, says Dr. Nordlund. Then don’t use it anymore.” Instead, switch to a lotion that contains phenol and menthol, such as Nutriderm.

Also, try taking 1500 mg of Lysine daily with other treatments.

Here’s a good article on home remedies:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Shingles-Treatment-and-Causes&id=526828

Hope this info helps!

admin answers:

The virus flares up along nerve tracks and it can be very painful. An important part of the treatment is the use of the antiviral drugs to reduce the flare up.

I would think one of the most natural parts of treating this event is to understand why her immune system didn’t keep the virus from becoming active. Stress, poor diet, diabetes, recovery from another illness, depression, can help strain an immune system to the point that it can’t keep the left over chicken pox virus controlled. The immune system has kept this in check since childhood. Helping the entire system regain it’s strength with good diet, rest, stress reduction, including sometimes powerful pain medication, will help limit it’s progression and reduce the chance of it causing permanent vision or painful nerve damage..