Self Treatment for Shingles

Herpes Zoster is an itchy and often painful skin affliction also known as shingles. The symptoms vary from mild to severe, depending on the individual. It is possible to not only prevent outbreaks of shingles with self-treatment, but also to alleviate the discomfort of the symptoms resulting from shingles. Careful self-treatment can also prevent additional complications that can result from this virus.

Purpose

A shingles rash is the result of an infection from the chicken pox virus. While shingles are not as severe as the chicken pox, they can recur quite frequently. Because of this frequency, shingles sufferers rely on self-treatment for the majority of their outbreaks, rather than going to the doctor each time the rash and blisters emerge.

Prevention

One valuable method of self-treatment for shingles is lowering stress levels, before and during an outbreak. Stress reduces the ability of the immune system to fight the shingles virus. Combating stress with yoga, meditation or breathing exercises can not only prevent outbreaks but lessen the severity of symptoms experienced during an outbreak as well.

Medication

Self-treatment with over-the-counter medications can help relieve the itching and pain of the shingles rash. Hydrocortisone cream, applied to the area, can alleviate itching, which sometimes starts even before the rash breaks out. Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine available without a prescription, is also useful to combat itching. Various over-the-counter pain medications--including aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen--are helpful for the pain, once the blisters begin to emerge.

Soothing

Cool, wet compresses are an effective remedy for shingles, and can be applied several times per day. Adding a small amount of vinegar to the water enhances the soothing effect, reducing itching as well as pain. A cool bath with baking soda or finely ground oatmeal in the water is also a helpful home treatment for shingles.

Considerations

Once blisters begin to crust over and dry, wet compresses should cease. This allows the blisters to complete their healing process. At no time during the outbreak should the rash or blisters be scratched or abraded in any way. Shingles blisters are at risk for infection, especially once they break. Seek medical attention in the event of fever, swelling or other warning signs of infection.