{"id":1159,"date":"2017-11-10T05:44:36","date_gmt":"2017-11-10T05:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=1159"},"modified":"2021-03-15T16:01:26","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T16:01:26","slug":"8-easy-ways-soothe-shingles-rash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/8-easy-ways-soothe-shingles-rash\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Easy Ways to Soothe Shingles Rash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you\u2019ve ever experienced chickenpox, shingles can seem like a flashback or a sequel to this dreaded illness. Shingles is caused by the same virus associated with chickenpox and is related to herpes. One of the main symptoms of shingles is a rash that causes pain and itching and can take two weeks to a month to disappear. Often shingles can affect one side of the body and not the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress, a weakened immune system, and age can make people vulnerable to contracting shingles, and it is not unusual for someone to struggle with shingles. It is estimated that one out of every three people suffers at some point in their lives with this ailment. What makes shingles so difficult to bear is the pain and itching of the rash and the fact that it can take a long time to go away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that can take some of the edge off of these annoying rashes and can make putting up with shingles easier. Try a combination of these tips which will improve your ability to cope with and treat shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Oatmeal baths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking soothing baths is an essential way to reduce the discomfort caused by shingles rashes. Oatmeal <\/a>most often is associated with breakfast food, but it is also an impressive skin treatment. Oatmeal in various forms can effectively treat dry and itchy skin and has antihistamine properties that reduce painful swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find colloidal oatmeal, which is the grain ground up in a very fine form, in health food stores. Also, try grounding up oatmeal very fine in a food processor and adding it to your bath. You may also find creams made of oatmeal that can soothe your rash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>2. Calamine lotion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may remember using calamine lotion<\/a> after a camping trip when you came in contact with poison ivy. This pink, soothing lotion is used to deal with many skin symptoms, including itchiness caused by contact with plants and shingles rashes. You can find this lotion in any pharmacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people have bottles in their medicine cabinet, but if the calamine lotion is many years old, it may not work effectively. Make sure to shake the bottle before using, apply with cotton balls and let it dry thoroughly on the surface of the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>3. Loose clothing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Something as simple as changing the way you dress can give you significant relief from shingles <\/a>symptoms. If you feel pain and itchiness on your skin, the last thing you want to do is to put more pressure on the area by wearing tight clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opt for loose-fitting dresses, pants or shirts. This can be easier in the summertime and more of a challenge in the winter when it is time to bundle up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also opt for natural fibers that can be gentler on your skin than synthetic fabrics. Make sure you apply bandages that do not stick onto the rashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Pastes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can make your own pastes to soothe your shingles rash or find specially prepared creams. Many people find that pastes made of simple ingredients can work as well as those they can pick up in the pharmacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shingles rashes can be treated with a paste made from a combination of corn starch and baking soda<\/a>. Corn starch has been used for generations to reduce itchiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, baking soda can disinfect wounds and help purify the area. Combine two-part corn starch and\/or baking soda and one part water to make a paste and apply it to the area. Let it dry for 15 minutes and rinse it off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Creams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although creams may not make your shingles rash go away, they will at least ease the discomfort caused by the rash. One of the reasons these rashes become painful <\/a>and itchy is because of dryness, and creams keep the area moist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, if the rash area becomes too dry, it can crack and cause pus to leak. Apply creams several times a day and cover with loose bandages, if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for creams that contain capsaicin, which is the main ingredient in hot peppers. Capsaicin is an anti-inflammatory agent and can relieve the pain of rashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>6. Dietary changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although issues with diet can cause rashes and allergic reactions, shingles is not usually the result of allergies<\/a>. However, eating the right foods can make you feel better and boost your immune system to prevent repeat outbreaks of shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can minimize the damage of shingles by eating certain nutrients that will boost health the immune system and keep shingles from spreading. Focus on eating more A, C, E, B-12, and lysine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foods rich in these nutrients include leafy green, yellow and red vegetables, lean proteins such as wild-caught fish and whole grains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>7. Herbal Remedies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Herbs <\/a>can be used both internally and topically to treat shingles. Since the ailment is the result of a weakened immune system, take herbs that can boost your immunity, such as St.John\u2019s Wort, echinacea, and garlic. You can also apply herbs topically to rashes to reduce discomfort and swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some useful herbs for topical application include aloe vera, thyme, peppermint, calendula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying oil directly on the area can be too strong, so it might be better to drop some oil into creams. For an intensive treatment, apply Vitamin E oil, which will not create irritation, directly onto the rash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>8. Cold Compresses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shingles rashes are itchy<\/a>, dry and hot. One way to ease the pain is to cool off the area with cool compresses several times a day. Simply take a clean cloth, soak it in cold water and apply it to the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the cloth warms up, either replace it with a cool one for a longer treatment or repeat it later in the day. Avoid the temptation to put ice packs on the shingles rashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excessive coldness can dry out the area, and dryness can increase the pain and cause cracking. In addition, if the area is too cold, it may become more sensitive to pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>9. Fish Oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shingles rash in incredibly itchy at times. While topical treatments won’t cure your condition, they go a long way in providing the skin with relief from the effects of inflammation. The Omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish oil<\/a> have tremendous benefit for the skin. The EPA and DHA Omega-3 EFA\u2019s have a potent anti-inflammatory effect, and we recommend that you consume the oil, and use it as a topical treatment for the rash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consume 3-grams of fish oil every day, and rub a few drops into the rash on your skin as well. You should notice a calming effect on your skin almost immediately as the oil penetrates the pores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fish oil is available in most health food stores, and we recommend you visit the store to buy your oil \u2013 don\u2019t buy it online. Fish oil is sensitive to light and heat. Therefore, if you buy it online and have it shipped to your home, the warm air will degrade the EFA\u2019s \u2013 rendering the oil useless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>10. Curcumin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Traditional medicine revers turmeric<\/a>, for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Some people recommend making a paste out of turmeric and apply it to the skin. However, if you\u2019ve ever used turmeric in cooking, you\u2019ll know that it stains everything it comes in contact with, yellow. Walking around with yellow splotches on your skin for days on end isn\u2019t something we find very attractive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, turmeric gets its potent anti-inflammatory properties from the compound, curcumin. As the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin is what you\u2019re after to treat your shingles. Search online for curcumin supplements that include piperine. The piperine helps activate the curcumin, increasing bioavailability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consume two to three grams of curcumin per day, and mix a paste using the curcumin powder. Apply it to your skin after you’ve lubricated it with fish oil, and your symptoms of itching will magically disappear. Continue the treatment two to three times a day as necessary until the rash goes away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>11. Raw Honey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Honey <\/a>straight from the beehive comes loaded with beneficial enzymes and bacteria that improve the health of your skin and decrease the inflammation and itching symptoms associated with a shingles rash. Raw honey undergoes no filtration process and contains all of the pollen, royal jelly, and phytonutrients collected by the bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit a farm stall and buy a jar of raw honey from a beekeeper. When you\u2019re at home, rub the honey into your rash and let it sit on your skin for 30-minutes to an hour before rinsing it off with warm water. The active ingredients in the honey go to work in relieving symptoms of inflammation and itching. This solution is a cost-effective remedy, and you can use it as a healthy sweetener in your tea and coffee as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid using commercially produced honey for this remedy, as the filtration process removes all of the beneficial compounds. Rubbing regular honey into your skin may increase your symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>12. Apple Cider Vinegar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ACV<\/a> is another natural cure for the inflammation and itching symptoms associated with a shingles rash. ACV contains live enzymes, and beneficial bacteria in the form of a brown suspension found floating in the vinegar. Manufacturers call this bacteria, \u201cthe mother,\u201d and it\u2019s the secret ingredient in ACV that gives it its beneficial properties for dealing with a shingles rash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dilute one tablespoon of ACV, with one tablespoon of purified water, and mix well. Saturate a cotton ball in the solution and dab it on your skin over the rash. It\u2019s important to dilute the vinegar, as using the straight solution might inflame your skin. Repeat your treatment two to three times a day until your shingles rash starts to dissipate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you purchase raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. As is the case with raw honey, manufacturers filter their apple cider vinegar for commercial use to extend shelf life, and this process removes \u201cthe mother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>13. Green Tea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Green tea <\/a>originates in the eastern lands of China, Taiwan, and Japan, where it grows in the mountainous regions. Green tea is different from black tea because it undergoes no toasting process that removes the valuable phytonutrients from the leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After picking, producers leave green tea leaves to dry in a temperature controlled room with a stable humidity to prevent the growth of mold. Manufacturers pack the tea leaves and ship them all across the world. Top-quality green tea brands are all from the eastern part of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green tea has potent anti-inflammatory properties due to \u201ccatechins,\u201d the polyphenol nutrients found in the tea leaves. EGCG, or epigallocatechin Gallate, is the compound responsible for giving green tea its natural superpowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend that you drink two to three cups of green tea every day to help sooth the symptoms of itching. After drinking your tea, use the tea bag as a cold compress over the infected area to gain relief from your symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>14. Prebiotic Fiber and Probiotics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation typically starts in the digestive system and spreads throughout the body in a systemic process. However, with shingles, the infection occurs in the skin, but you can still gain benefit from increasing your gut health to help relieve your inflammatory symptoms of itching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The digestive system houses over 70-percent of the immune system, and boosting your gut health will help you clear the disease faster. Try eating foods that are rich in prebiotic fiber and probiotic enzymes. Pineapple <\/a>and papaya are excellent examples of fruits that contain plenty of prebiotic fiber. When you eat this fruit, it increases the presence of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system \u2013 assisting your immune system with fighting off the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foods like kefir and organic Greek yogurt, also boost gut health due to the presence of beneficial bacteria and enzymes found in the fermentation process. Eat three to four servings of these foods every day, and you\u2019ll see that your symptoms clear quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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