Shingles torments its victims with painful rashes and blisters. The condition is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. If someone has chicken pox as a child, the virus lays dormant in their nerve tissue. Many years later, it can become active, sometimes as a result of stress or a weakened immune system. When this happens, there’s tching, tingling, or pain and then a rash appears within several days, followed by a cluster of blisters. The blisters break, dry out, and form crusts which eventually fall off in two or three weeks. A host of other symptoms can accompany a case of shingles: abdominal pain, fever, chills, headaches, joint pain, genital sores, swollen lymph nodes, or just a general sense of being unwell.
During an active case of shingles, the virus can spread to other people. Children are particularly at risk and most especially, newborns. If you have shingles, do your best to avoid children and babies!
A shingles episode will usually resolve on its own, but if it occurs on your face, you should definitely see a doctor for treatment. Typically, they’ll prescribe anti-viral and anti-inflammatory drugs. There are also some home remedies that can reduce the pain and discomfort: cool wet compresses, using lotions containing zinc, applying 3 or 4 drops of lemon balm a few times per day, and taking a bath with Epsom salt and baking soda. Strange as it might sound, you could also add some oatmeal to a lukewarm bath. Finally, don’t forget to wear loose cotton clothing.
You’ll want to check out the video we’ve posted below. It will provide a lot more information about shingles and how the condition can be treated.
Have you been successful in your battles with shingles? Let’s hear your story in the comments at Facebook. Be sure to like and share to raise awareness among your friends!
