Shingles

[kedrys]

Dammit.

Itchy.

:(

[hickman]

1. Isn't that adult chicken pox?

just asking.

[Kutjara]

3. Yes it is. It's the form the chickenpox virus takes in adults.

Even if you've had chickenpox in childhood, you can still get an outbreak of shingles later in life. My mother got it when she was in her 70s and nearly scratched her skin off.

[JackBeck]

6. Zoster virus.

If you've had chicken pox as a kid, the virus hangs out in the spinal cord. Later in life, it can resurface as shingles.

Hope you feel better soon, kedrys.

[kedrys]

10. Thanks

On the upside, the doc wrote me a note to the effect that I have to stay home for the rest of the week. Just like third grade...! :hi:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

2. Aveeno bath...

Helped my kid when he had chicken pox. :hug:

[Breeze54]

5. Shingles are nothing like typical chicken pox.

It's not a rash, per say. It's actual scaling of the skin
and it rises up in burning, painful scales...literally. Ugh!



It's horrible and can last for months!

[Breeze54]

4. They suck!! ~ Have you got meds?

Try not to scratch but I know it'll drive you crazy and they get painful.

Hang in there.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. mine were right over my right kidney which had a stone many

years ago...I was dead certain I had a new stone until my doctor noticed the rash, and said "well we don't need the IVP, you have shingles", wrote me a scrip for a steroid to take for 7 days and told me to pick up some Aveeno.


the doc said the shingles had centered in the nerves that wrap around the mid torso, and that is why it felt like my kidney was involved.

[kedrys]

11. Valtrex and Darvocet

Valtrex to reduce my viral load, and Darvocet so I won't care. :P

[Maraya1969]

27. LOLOL

I had to read your post a couple times......:headbang:

Glad I'm not the only one who has that same thought process.

[Maraya1969]

7. A lot of natural treatments on the web. Here is some information from

one of them. :hug:

. Cayenne Pepper To The Rescue
Many people love hot, spicy foods that are made with Cayenne Pepper. You may even love its hotness too. Taken internally this pepper has a lot of beneficial health effects. Used as an ointment, Cayenne Pepper is a natural treatment for Shingles. It can help relieve the itchiness, pain and discomfort. Simply mix a bit of it in with a soothing body lotion. Apply this mixture onto the area that's affected by Shingles every four to six hours.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Can Work Wonders
Just like Cayenne Pepper, Apple Cider Vinegar has a myriad of healthful uses. It can used as a liniment for Shingles. Just dab Apple Cider Vinegar on the affected area several times a day. Use it at night if the symptoms wake you up! It should relieve the pain and heal the red spots or blisters.

Or, you can take Apple Cider Vinegar internally for the natural treatment of Shingles. Pour two tablespoons of this type of vinegar in an eight-ounce glass of tap water. If you don't like the taste of this mixture, add a little jelly or honey to sweeten the taste. Drink this mixture twice a day and see if it doesn't help relieve your symptoms.

3. Oatmeal Isn't Just For Breakfast
Oatmeal tastes great for breakfast, but have you ever applied it to that annoying area of Shingles? Mix up some plain, uncooked oatmeal with a bit of water until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to your red spots or blisters. Oatmeal is a natural treatment for this viral illness because it soothes burning skin irritations and relieves itching.

You can also pour some uncooked oatmeal in your bathtub too. Fill it with cool water and swish the oatmeal around. Then, soak the affected area of your body in the oatmeal-water.

4. Are Your Vitamins Working For You?
You probably already take a multi-vitamin every day, but is it specially-formulated to help reduce stress? A natural treatment for Shingles is to take a multi-vitamin that's rich in stress-busters like B Complex Vitamins, Vitamin E, and C.

5. Use Stress Reduction Methods
Since stress and anxiety are also believed to cause an itchy, painful outbreak of Shingles, you can use stress-reduction methods to relieve yourself of these annoying symptoms. These natural treatments for Shingles include meditation,
Yoga, and deep-breathing exercises. Check your phone book for classes located near you.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/35516/natural_treatments_for_shingles.html

[kedrys]

12. Thanks for the tips

I could certainly use less itching and burning. It's on the left side of my face and neck, so I'm really really trying not to scratch. :hi:

[BlueIris]

9. Oil of oregano. Pricey ($25 a bottle) but could really help you.

Also--cornsilk tea. Make it yourself or buy the Altiva brand from a reputable natural/organic food store. Call the store first to see if they have it or can order it for you, as not everyone carries Altiva and cornsilk tea isn't always the most popular kind.

[kedrys]

13. I'll see if I can find some

One of my pagan friends used to have a store that carried every essential oil in the universe. She's still around somewhere.

Thanks! :hi:

[TZ]

14. with the natural remedies

Oatmeal is by far the best to stop the itching. Very soothing.
Make sure you take all your anti-viral meds though...vitamins are good for maintaining health but they don't do much to kick out a strong viral infection.....My sympathies..I hear shingles is nasty

[kedrys]

16. Thanks

I knew oatmeal had to be good for something...I don't think it's edible, but if it makes my ear stop itching...

And I'm taking the antiviral religiously. I don't want to come down with anything else.

[Zomby Woof]

15. They're the absolute worst

I had them when I was 15, 6 years after chicken pox. This cluster of blisters appeared on the right side of my abdomen, at the bottom of my rib cage. Hurt like a *#&@&#. The painkillers the doctor prescribed just made it hurt slightly less.

I hope you weather this okay! :hug:

[dancingme]

17. try Healing Natural OIls

for shingles. This worked for my Mom, much better than the meds.

http://www.amoils.com/shingles.html

[MissMillie]

18. the itch will morph into pain

:hug:

I'm sorry. Get well soon.

[kedrys]

24. It hurts when I touch it or get goosebumps

Feels like 10,000 tiny hot needles. At least it looks like it stopped spreading.

Thanks! :hi:

[unpossibles]

19. my wife got it last year

I've noticed it seems to be hitting a lot more people at a younger age than before. Or maybe I am just getting old and in denial. Either way, it sucks.

[kedrys]

25. I'll be 46 next month

All things considered, it's only a mild annoyance. The s.o.'s still freaking out, but hey.

[Irishonly]

20. Ouch

I had a bad case a few years back. You need a :hug:

[kedrys]

26. Thanks

I can definitely use the hug. :hi:

[SacredCow]

21. Another case????

Wow... My significant other started a case of them a little over 2 weeks ago, and since then I've heard of several other people suffering from them.

He's not so bothered by the itchy-ness of them, as much as the shooting pains from the areas where the worst sores were.

[Highway61]

22. Not sure if you know

They are contagious if a sore is open from scratching and can be spread to another if that person's immune system is lower or someone is pregnant...I'm a nurse and folks are usually put into isolation when they have active shingles. Same virus as chicken pox. The virus lies dormant in the nerves and rears it's ugly head when immune system is down for what ever reason. Anti viral medications are available such as Valtrex will help. Good luck to you

[kedrys]

23. The doc wrote me a note

so I can telecommute for at least the rest of the week. The s.o. has had both chicken pox and shingles, and we're staying out of each other's way.

I've been really stressed out lately, so I'm guessing that's the reason. I have a family history of mild autoimmune skin disorders, so in hindsight I'm not too shocked.