When someone speaks of shingles, they may or may not know they are actually referring to the herpes zoster virus. This is a viral infection that forms at the nerve roots, forming painful red rashes with tiny blisters, usually filled with a clear fluid. The skin often feels tingly before the rash appears on the infected areas, though burning sensations have also been reported.

The virus will usually manifest near the beltline of a person, but this is not always the case – infections of herpes zoster have been reported in various areas of the body, including the face. The rash can literally form anywhere on the body, but most infections will manifest only on one side and not spread from there.

The rash is usually painful, itchy, and can often be accompanied by blisters. People who have herpes zoster also usually do not feel well while infected. Other common symptoms to the condition include fever, chills, headaches, an upset stomach, and an increased sensitivity to light. Note that these are among the most common symptoms, but this is far from a comprehensive listing of all the signs of a shingles infection.

The varicella-zoster virus, from which herpes zoster gets its name, is the cause of shingles. This is also the same virus that causes chicken pox, and once a person has had chicken pox, the infection may lie dormant in one’s nerve cells. These dormant viral cells can reactivate as shingles when the conditions are appropriate. Also, anyone that has been exposed to the virus can be infected. Note that shingles and chicken pox, while caused by the same viral agent, are not the same illness and require different treatments.

For a person to get shingles, they must have been exposed to the virus or have had chicken pox in the past. Age is considered a major factor in infections, with over half of reported cases manifesting in people who are over the age of 60. This is believed to be due to the weakened immune systems of these people – those with immune system problems are known to be more likely to be infected. Shingles is a common problem for those who have HIV or AIDS, or in cancer patients. Those with treatment regimens that include radiation and chemotherapy, along with certain steroids, are also prone to the problem. There are also some patients who develop it for no apparent reason.

Scientists have not found a treatment that prevents all patients with shingles from developing PHN. However, there are several treatments that some think migh reduce the chances of developing PHN but the evidence as of this date is suspect and difficult to prove given the different PHN responses by patient to an outbreak of shingles.

People who continue to feel pain long after the rash and blisters heal are experiencing a pain called postherpetic neuralgia which basically is damage to their nerve fibers caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. Nerve fibers essentially send messages from the skin to the brain. Damaged Nerve fibers due to shingles are not able to send messages to the spinal cord as they normally do and it is believed that the body may perceive these “mixed messages” as pain signals.

Age and PHN are related. Older people are more susceptible to PHN. PHN usually does not develop in people under age 50. Over 40% of patients with shingles age 60 or older develop PHN. After the shingles rash has healed, 75% of people over age 70 have pain at 1 month, and 50% still have pain after 1 year.

During an outbreak of shingles, other risk factors for the development of PHN include:

>Greater pain severity >Greater rash severity >Sensory impairment (problems with feeling touch) in the affected skin >Painful period before the shingles rash appears >The trigeminal nerve (a nerve in the face) is affected

Treatments for postherpetic neuralgia depends on the type of phn pain you experience. Generally for~post herpetic neuralgia these include:

> Antidepressants> Drugs that inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin > Certain anticonvulsants > Injected steroids > Painkillers> Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)> Spinal cord or peripheral nerve stimulation. > Lidocaine skin patches

There are even some alternate remedies that have been tried by those suffering from PHN such as hypnosis, acupuncture, diluted apple cider vinegar, colustrum and vitamin B5.

Two highly effective alternative medicine treatments for PHN pain are Menastil and EZ Pain Relief. Both are non-narcotic, non-addictive topical solutions that effectively penetrate the skin. Their active ingredients reach the inflamed area to cause the nerve ends to relax and allow the blood and oxygen to flow back into the painful area to effectively cutoff the pain signal to the spinal cord and therefore to the brain. You still have the PHN condition, since these products are not cures, but you will feel substantially less pain with the use of either of these products.

Although some people will live with postherpetic neuralgia the rest of their lives, most people can expect the condition to gradually disappear during the first three months. For about 10 percent to 20 percent of people with postherpetic neuralgia, the pain may persist for a year or more.

If you are looking out for a natural remedy for your shingles, it is worth taking a look at a new product called Zosterol. There are no toxic constituents present in the medicine and it also proves to be beneficial as it alleviates the symptoms caused by shingles in a safer and easier way than other products. The ingredients have gained importance over time as they’ve been used as a home remedy for many to provide shingles relief. Zosterol is considered to be a real improvement for those who are worried about taking medications which are known for several side effects.
Some people who had suffered from chickenpox during their childhood days develop what is known as shingles and this medicine lends out a proper hand in providing real comfort. The patients suffering from this ailment can find it very difficult to enter large crowds and other functions in public places. Zosterol plays a vital role in helping shingles sufferers with their to eliminate the symptoms both physical and mental, allowing increased self esteem and elimination of the shame they once had to being seen in public.
The lesions which seem to be irritating and burning are treated and smoothened thus providing those happy days back to you. Above all Zosterol helps in increasing the total immunity of the body as it stimulated the ability of the body to absorb nutrients and also by increasing the interaction of the cell. This is where it differs from other products which simply treat the effects of shingles, Zosterol treats the root cause of the problem.
There are four major ingredients present in this medicine and they include Beta-Glucan, Ghatti Gum, Aloe vera and Arabinogalactan. Beta-Glucan acts to be supporting the activity as well as the formation of macrophages so that it affects the cellular defense mechanism of the body. The overall memory enhancement and the ability to absorb calcium is taken care of by Ghatti gum.
The communication in the cellular level could also be stimulated. The cellular immunological system of the body is sure to have an energizing effect with the help of aloe vera present in Zosterol. The lost health and weakness could be reposition into the normal healthy state by the presence of aloe vera as it has the amazing property of fighting against viral infections and viruses.
Another important constituent of Zosterol is arabinogalactan which helps in retaining the function of kidney, nervous system as well as the reproductive system of the body. The normal intake of the medication is considered to be two capsules per day. It has to be consumed about thirty minutes before the main course. The results will be seen after different periods of time from person to person, but the average time is quoted at 3-4 weeks after it is first taken.
Tetrasil is the other alternative that has had several good reviews, however the way it works is to simply fight the pain that is caused by shingles and doesn’t aim at eliminating the root cause. It can be seen as more effective when taken with Zosterol as they both combat different area’s of the problem.
Other antiviral medications such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir) offer substantial relief and significantly reduce the duration of symptoms for most affected individuals. Starting an antiviral medication within 72 hours of the first sign of a shingles attack is generally recommended to help speed healing and possibly reduce the risk of developing complications such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever) is caused by a type of herpes virus known as the Epstein-Barr virus. It is most commonly seen in young people (hence its nickname: “student flu”). The disease is seriously debilitating and can take several months to clear up.

Extreme fatigue, fever, muscular aches and pains, sore throat and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck, are the symptoms of this illness.

Treatment

Aromatherapy Massage with essential oils; lavender has antiviral properties and is particularly effective. (Do not massage with oils while patient still has a fever; dilute oils with tepid water and sponge down instead.)

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Homeopathic Homeopathic remedies ean help with specific symptoms, particularly exhaustion, sweating, aches and pains, and depression.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Some sufferers henefit from these therapies.

Diet And Nutrition Eat foods rich in antioxidant nutrients (vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B-complex, and minerals copper, iron, zinc, and selenium). Garlic and ginger can be helpful. Sufferers from mononucleosis appear to have lower than normal levels of essential fatty acids (EFAs). A qualified nutritionist might recommend a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oils to help raise these levels and to alleviate the symptoms of fatigue and malaise. Large doses of vitamin C (up to 100g) given by intravenous injection with the pharmaceutical drug amantadine hydrochloride may remove symptoms and promote recovery. It is the “alternative” treatment of choice in the United States, but must be given by a medical physician.

Counseling, Rrlaxation Techniques, And Meditation All of these therapies are helpful for relieving stress and depression.

Shingles

The herpes zoster virus is the cause of shingles, which occurs when the immune system is weakened and the dormant virus is activated. Symptoms include acute skin sensitivity and a classic rash running around one half of the midriff. The face, neck, and (rarely) eyes may also be affected.

Treatment

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Aromatherapy, Homeopathy,and Acupuncture. All of these therapies are known to be benefical in cases of shingles. Accupunture can be effective in the treatment of postherpetic syndrome after infection.

Shingles is a skin rash that is caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), the very same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person gets over the initial outbreak of chickenpox, this virus lives in the nervous system, never fully leaving the body. When certain situations, such as stress, or the onset of immunodeficiency disorders develop, the virus can reactivate, causing shingles. More commonly however, the actual cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk or developing shingles.
What are the symptoms of Shingles?
The initial onset of shingles can display as an extreme sensitivity or burning sensation on the skin in the affected area. It can include itching, tingling, burning, constant aching, or deep, shooting pain. Within a few days, a rash develops. It will usually present itself as a band that follows the route of a nerve under the skin. The Shingles rash itself looks like small red spots and reddened skin in the same area that eventually turn into small blisters. The blisters dry up after a few days, forming scabs that leave a small pockmark in the skin when they fall off.
Shingles is considered to be an intensely painful condition because the virus affects the nerves. The pain may even linger and continue long after the rash has cleared up. This pain could go on for weeks, months or even years. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia and is more likely to occur in older people and those who had a severe outbreak from the rash.
What causes Shingles?
Although the reasons are not fully understood, any weakening of the body’s immune system can cause the Varicella zoster virus to “reawaken” and appear in adulthood as shingles. Conditions that may weaken the systems include aging, HIV/AIDS, colds, cancer, organ transplants, long term courses of steroids, various medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, stress or excessive alcohol intake.
It is important to note that shingles is not a new infection; it is a second outbreak of the chicken pox virus. For whatever reasons, the herpes zoster virus wakes up from the dormant state and grows. Once active, the germs travel along the nerve paths to the skin, and the result is the aching rash of shingles.
Will Painwave X4000 Help with Shingles?
Definitely! The Painwave X4000 is revolutionary, non-invasive, drug-free method of pain relief for the treatment of shingles. What is most amazing about the device is that the Painwave X4000 works in concert with the body’s own bioelectromagnetic ecosystem. The astounding Painwave X4000 has no side effects, and is utilized by moving the unit gently over the surface of the skin in a small circular motion. After a short period of time, the Painwave X4000 stimulates improved circulation, cell activity and lymphatic movements, all of which are beneficial in the relief of pain and other discomforts. In many cases, this stimulation will greatly reduce or eliminate pain for good.
Note: The medical info on this page should not be used to treat or diagnose a disease. If you have any questions regarding Shingles, contact your primary care physicians for full evaluations.

Herpes zoster also known as shingles, is the reactivation of varicella zoster virus, or VZV. It is a same virus that causes chickenpox. Herpes zoster manifests as a vesicular rash, usually in a single dermatome. Development of the rash may be preceded by paresthesias or pain along the involved dermatome. Ocular involvement and zoster keratitis may result if reactivation occurs along the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve.Approximately 95% of adults in the United States have antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus. Herpes zoster can cause several problems with the eye and surrounding skin that may have long term effects. Inflammation and scarring of the cornea, along with conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva) and iritis (inflammation of the iris) are typical problems.

Incidence of herpes zoster increases with age. Approximately 80% of cases occur in persons older than 20 years. Shingles may be complicated by a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia. This is persistence of pain in the area where the shingles occurred that may last from months to years following the initial episode. Herpes zoster may be associated with a secondary bacterial infection (typically streptococcal or staphylococcal) of the vesicular rash. Herpes zoster involving the second branch of the trigeminal nerve may be associated with conjunctivitis, keratitis, corneal ulceration, iridocyclitis, glaucoma, and blindness. Herpes zoster causes a wide range of problems affecting the skin and the eye. They range in severity depending on the extent of the outbreak.

Some problems listed occur indirectly from the inflammation caused by the disease. Herpes zoster is treated with anti-viral, pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Eye drops and ointments may be prescribed to treat ocular problems. Cimetidine, a common component of over-the-counter heartburn medication. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may occasionally be used to reduce inflammation and risk of post-herpetic neuralgia. They have been shown to be most effective in the elderly population. Cool wet compresses can be used to reduce pain. Soothing baths and lotions, such as colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or lotions and calamine lotion, may help to relieve itching and discomfort. Avoid contact with the skin lesions of persons with known herpes zoster infection.

Herpes Zoster Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Vaccine may prevent shingles or lessen its effects.

2. Cool wet compresses can be used to reduce pain.

3. Pain medicines(antihistamines ) mild to strong, may be needed to control pain.

4. Herpes zoster is treated with anti-viral, pain and anti-inflammatory medications.

5. Avoid contact with the skin lesions of persons with known herpes zoster infection.

6. Cimetidine medication, has been shown to lessen the severity of herpes zoster outbreaks in several different instances.

Shingles is commonly seen in elderly people, but on occasion it is detected among young people too. It comes from the same virus varicella-zoster, which gave us chicken-pox. If proper care is not taken you may loose your eyesight or even suffer from facial paralysis. Shingles are also known as herpes zoster which spreads through your skin in the form of a rash or blister similar to chicken-pox. It is associated with grueling pain, itchiness, burning sensation and sometimes even numbness.

Before the rash appears you develop pain and tenderness on a particular area of your body. It may sometime take more than a week before the rash appears. You develop red spots before it erupts into blisters. Shingles develops on one side of your body (left or right) due to a particular nerve which causes this development. It also affects other parts of your body like heads and limbs. When it affects your cheek it would surely affect your eyes, be extra careful during such times and consult your doctor immediately.

Once the blisters burst open they get healed within a week. Light scars are left which will disappear soon. Shingles may not be a deadly disease but it may prove to be dangerous for people suffering from HIV infection or getting cancer treatments, as the immune system is very weak. People who are getting organ transplants are also under threat as doctors suppress the immune system with drugs.

Home Remedies For Shingles

Powder two aspirin tablets and mix it in 2 tbsp of chloroform or alcohol. Apply this paste on the affected area. This will provide good relief.

You can apply wet dressing to soothe the burning sensation

Avoid being in humid areas. Always keep yourself cool.

When blisters get infected, dab them with hydrogen peroxide.

Keep the blisters open and dry. Do not burst the blisters by scratching.

To provide relief, make a solution by mixing 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in 2 cups of water. Use a cotton cloth to moisten the affected areas by using the upward movement.

To prevent itching and to reduce pain you can dust colloidal powder.

You can make a solution by mixing aloe vera gel, raw honey and leek juice to be applied on the rash.

You can also sponge the blisters or rashes by use of vitamin E oil, apple cider vinegar, cool goldenseal, mugwort or peppermint tea.

Baking soda and water solution can also be applied as a cold compress.

Apply a mixture of yogurt and zinc oxide along the particular path of the nerve. If it is applied before the outbreak it would help to curb the outburst of blisters.

Avoid food which contain amino acid such as chocolate, cereal grains, nuts and seeds

Eating pear of having its juice in ample amounts is good, as it has a great supply of antiviral caffeic acid.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Shingles is a very painful and often debilitating condition caused by the herpes zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. After an episode of chickenpox the virus lies dormant, sometimes for years, and then reactivates itself causing first sensitivity and then pain in the area served by the nerve. A rash appears within about five days, first as small red spots then blisters. Within about two days the blisters become yellow and crusted, dropping off within about two weeks but occasionally leaving scarring. The pain may persist for months or even years.

Shingles often begins with pain or tingling. Then a red rash appears that’s soon followed by blisters. The blisters may last anywhere from five days to possibly four weeks and then crust over and disappear. One important clue that you’ve got shingles: The blistery rash will appear on only one side of the body, most commonly on the trunk, buttocks, or face.

Crisco shortening will relieve pain caused by shingles, as will breaking open a Vitamin C capsule. I broke out with them once on a family trip to Tennessee to visit relatives. I was 9 years old and my pain was making the trip UNBERABLE for my parents and me. An older lady from way back in the hills told us about the shortening and as soon as they rubbed it on me, I was soothed and playing. Just rub it on the area and re-apply when the pain or itching returns. The vitamin C caps work but not 1/2 as well.

Mix 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water. Moisten a clean cotton face-cloth with this solution. Wring slightly and rub affected area with the moist towel upwards towards the heart after the shingles attack subsides and the blisters dry up. Repeat this procedure for an hour daily, as needed.

Apply an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to the affected area. A nonprescription hydrocortisone cream, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone, can temporarily relieve the itch. A nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others), may be helpful if itching is severe.

One good home remedy is oatmeal baths or the use of oatmeal soap. This can help soothe the burning sores. Another over-the-counter remedy is calamine lotion or any kind of lotion designed to deal with burns or insect bites. Putting the lotion in the refrigerator first will make the application a cooling relief. Ice can be used for very short periods — 3 to 4 minutes at a time. The same applies for a bag of frozen peas or corn is a relief.

Cool the pain. Cold packs can help relieve the pain from hot, blistered skin. Gently place a cold cloth on the blisters or wrap a towel around the affected area and pour ice water on it. Apply for 20 minutes, then leave off for 20 minutes, and repeat until the pain decreases. You can also try a cold milk compress in the same manner.

Shingles may not be a deadly disease but it may prove to be dangerous for people suffering from HIV infection or getting cancer treatments, as the immune system is very weak. People who are getting organ transplants are also under threat as doctors suppress the immune system with drugs.

No matter how you look at it, a case of shingles is not a pleasant experience. Every case of shingles begins and ends unpleasantly. Shingles first surfaces as an intense pain or other unpleasant sensation. This sensation usually occurs in a large band along one side of the body, but can also present itself on the face or extremities of the body. This pain is so unpleasant that it is often described as a “lightning bolt pain.” In addition to experiencing sensations of pain, you may be subjected to itching, irritation, throbbing or other unpleasantness.

After several days of these uncomfortable sensations, the second stage of shingles will begin. The second stage is not only the most noticeable but also the reason why shingles, which is actually called herpes zoster, earned its unofficial nickname. The second stage of shingles consists of a large rash. Unlike other minor rashes caused by irritation, the shingles rash is one that is quite intense. The rash consists of small red bumps and blisters.

After gradually growing for a few days, the blisters within the rash will begin to emit the pus that has been building up within them. This weeping of pus will continue for several days, and will eventually result in the blisters becoming scabbed over. After the blisters have scabbed, they will eventually fall off and leave behind a very tender area of skin. The scabbed blisters may or may not result in permanent scarring of the skin.

In order to minimize the effects of this extremely uncomfortable condition, it is important that you consult with a doctor as soon as you can. If you are experiencing the initial pain stage of shingles, it is vital to try to schedule and appointment with your doctor. During the first three to four days of shingles, a physician can evaluate you and possibly give you an antibiotic.

The antibiotic that you are given can be very effective in not only reducing the discomfort that comes along with shingles but also the amount of time that your case of shingles lasts. In addition to the help of your doctor, taking proper care of yourself will make a case of shingles much more tolerable. It is hard to imagine, but by avoiding small things such as scratching your rash, you can significantly reduce many of the unpleasant elements that accompany a case of shingles.

Shingles can be a very debilitating disease and needs to be caught early to avoid further damage to ones skin and body. If you are showing any of the symptoms of the disease you should consult a doctor immediately as you may require urgent medical care and treatment.

What is Shingles – Herpes Zoster: Shingles (known also as Herpes Zoster) is a very sore, rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It affects a limited area of the body and skin. Not only can it be very painful but it can also make you feel weak, tired and many even cause severe depression.
What causes Shingles – Herpes Zoster: You can only get shingles if you have previously had chickenpox. After having chickenpox the virus lies dormant in the nerves, and shingles occurs when it is revitalised in one particular nerve to the skin, this explains the way it affects a certain band or area of the skin. Many times the outbreak is caused by a decrease in your body’s natural resistance or a weakness to the immune system. Most people who get shingles are more than 49 years old.
Shingles – Herpes Zoster – Symptoms: Usualy the first symptom of shingles is often over-sensitivity or a burning sensation on the skin in the affected area. After a few days, a rash develops. It usually appears as a band or path, following the route of a nerve under the skin. At first, the rash consists of small red spots and reddened skin in the same area. The spots then turn into small blisters, which dry up after a few days, and gradually form scabs. Shingles is often a very painful condition, since it affects the nerves, the pain may continue after the rash has cleared, sometimes lingering for months or years.
Shingles – Herpes Zoster – Treatment: Shingles is most often treated with acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir (also named: Valtrex). Your doctor will decide which of these medicines might work the best for you. Most of the medications work better if they are started within the first couple of days after you get the shingles rash. Often a doctor will also prescribe a steroid medicine to reduce the pain and swelling. If you get Shingles of the eye it is often treated with antiviral medicines and steroids.
Shingles – Herpes Zoster – Prevention: There is a study under way for a vaccine to prevent shingles, called the ‘Shingles Prevention Study’. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is asking for volunteers for the study at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Interested people should call for more information: Toll-Free 1-877-841-6251
There is a website that provides cures, facts and other great information on Shingles – Herpes Zoster and numerous medical conditions, the website is called: All About Health, and can be found at this url: http://www.rb59.com/medical-health-info
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