What is the cure for shingles?

Answer 1

There is no cure for shingles. Antiviral like Acyclovir and steroid (Prednisone) can be given that may shorten the duration of the condition. This is by no mean a cure because for many patients, the above medications have little effect. Many have prolonged pain for months despite all the medications.

Answer 2

First- don't do anything to make it worse! Do not drink alcohol, take it easy on caffeine, do not eat sugar or white flour, these all spike insulin which lower your immune system and hurt your ability to fight the virus.

Next, be proactive- take 3-5 (3000-5000mg) grams of L-Lysine. This is a large amount so don't be scared if you're taking 8 pills. Then go down to taking 500 mg a day for the rest of the time you have the rash. B-12 is also very helpful, I used to get shots but now I just take it sublingually. Any other herb or vitamin that is good for your immune system is also good to take.

Topically- there are a ton of topical treatments out there you can buy, shingles (herpes zoster) is a type of herpes virus so anything that addresses that whether it's for genital herpes or cold sores or says it's for shingles is fine. I have found that Manuka honey is effective (Any RAW honey is antiviral but Manuka is actually considered medicinal, it is expensive but consider it medicine not a sweetener). Yogurt and Zinc Oxide is another mixture that works if you don't want to buy an expensive cream.

Emotionally- Stress is a major cause of shingles. Emotional Freedom Technique can be used to decrease your stress and help with the outbreak. Some people have very fast results with this technique.

Unfortunately "fast" for shingles is still going to be a few days but if you do all of these treatments at the very beginning of the outbreak you should be able to lessen it to the minimum.

Answer 3

Shingles is not usually a serious condition. Generally, one only experiences itching and an unsightly rash which, while it can be painful, is mostly an inconvenience. If not treated in a timely manner, however, this infection can produce serious complications. It is important to deal with shingles as soon as one recognizes that he or she is afflicted.

What Shingles Are

Shingles are caused by the same virus which produces chickenpox. When one catches chickenpox and it eventually goes away, the virus lays dormant in the body and has a chance to reactivate as shingles. This is a more common occurrence in those who are older or people who have weakened immune systems. Certain medications can also increase chances of developing shingles.

Symptoms of Shingles

The most common symptom of shingles is a painful rash, wrapping around one side of the torso. The infection begins with pain, numbness or tingling and then progresses to the rash stage within a few days. Eventually, blisters will rise, pop and crust over. All this is accompanied by itching. Some may experience more unusual symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, aching, fever or chills.

Treatment for Shingles

There are vaccines available which can reduce the chance of shingles appearing, but once the infection has taken hold there is no quick solution. Early treatment is important, as it will shorten the time that one has to deal with this problem as well as reducing the chances of developing complications.

Usually, shingles will be treated with a combination of different medications to deal with different problems. Antiviral medicine will reduce the pain and duration of the infection. General medications and antidepressants will also help with pain. Topical creams can relieve pain as well as preventing the blisters from becoming infected. For more severe pain, numbing agents or even narcotic medications may be needed.

Complications of Shingles

Around 10 to 15 percent of people will experience a condition called Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHD), in which the pain of shingles continues for months or even years after the infection is done. More treatment is required if one develops PHD. Also, if the rash spreads over a large area of the body or gets near the eyes, one should consult a doctor immediately or risk damage to the eyes or possibly the internal organs.

Shingles need not be a crippling problem, as long as it is treated early. The symptoms are easily spotted and, as long as one does not put it off, can be immediately dealt with by a doctor.

Answer 4

A person can see a physician an get a prescription for the medicine to treat shingles.