Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. About 1 in 3 Americans will experience shingles once in their lifetime. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the body in your nerve roots. Years later, the virus may activate again and cause shingles. Shingles is not life threatening, but it can be very painful.
Shingles most often affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, people under stress, and people who have had chickenpox more than once. The virus travels along specific nerves, and that is why you will see the rash appear in a band on just one side of the body. It generally remains localized rather than spreading over the entire body.
Symptoms of shingles:
- Pain, itching, or tingling in a limited area on one side of the face or torso, followed by a red rash with small, and usually fluid-filled blisters.
- Though uncommon, shingles can develop without a rash.
- The rash typically affects just one area on one side of the body or face.
- The rash may also appear on the eyes or mouth.
- Blisters usually crust over and scab within 7 to 10 days.
- Pain may last for several weeks or months after the rash has healed, a condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
Other symptoms of shingles may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Shooting pain that feels like an electric shock.
While there is no cure, what can you do?
- Chiropractic Care helps keep your immune system strong and is very important to protect against many viruses that can cause problems.
- Low Level Cold Laser treatment specifically targeting Shingles to reduce pain and speed up healing time
- Colloidal oatmeal bath with lukewarm water can be soothing with the blisters that might accompany the rash. Stay with cool or warm water baths as hot water may exacerbate the symptoms.
- Baking soda mixed with cornstarch can work as a natural anti-itch or calamine lotion to help dry out blisters.
- Immune boosting and anti -inflammatory foods.
- Adequate sleep.
To learn more about natural, non-invasive treatments, without potentially harmful side effects, that can help relieve the symptoms of shingles, call 480-325-6977 and ask about same day appointments. Dr. Keith Lavender, Board Certified Atlas Orthogonal gentle chiropractic specialist, has been providing effective, gentle care for patients of all ages in the Valley for over 25 years. Don’t suffer with painful symptoms, call today.
