Shingles Treatment

Hi S.-

Before I tell you a course of action-there are a few things I need to know. Is this for a child or an adult. How often do they get the outbreak and how long does it last?? There are different remedies and treatments depending on those questions.

T.
Detox Coach

S.,

As far as an active outbreak the only tx I am aware of is antiviral medications. However there are a few alternatives for pain management (after the outbreak of vesicles heal), capscasin (no prescription needed) can help with post herpatic pain. ALso a lidoderm patch (prescription needed) has shown to be helpful. I wouldn't necessarily classify the meds as alternative, but the affects of the meds are local and not systemic. However one may need a narcotic for pain management for a period of time to help with the pain. These meds I have only used on adults. For children you need to consult a pediatrician.

My mother and my brother-in-law had shingles at different times of their lives. I feel sorry for whomever you know that has them. They from a virus in the body that maked the nerve ending kind of burn the skin that they touch. Shingles usually work themselves into a circular area on the body like around the forehead, the neck,or the chest, etc. Shingles are extremely painful and in the case of these 2 people, there wasn't much that could be done. They basically had to "ride it out". Hopefully there are more meds out there now because people with shingles do suffer alot. Good luck

I had shingles almost a year ago - very mild case luckily. Really not a lot that can be done for it other than pain medication, anti-itch medication, rest and don't itch/keep it covered. The current anti-viral medication perscribed most often is Valtrex - a herpes one is supposed to be taken within 48 hours and you take for a week and from what they told me may help shorten the outbreak - but is not a sure thing by any bet and is pricey if you don't have insurance, so if the outbreak isn't severe this is probably ripe for a homeopathic route. Do check with your doctor though whatever you do!

I did decide to take Valtrex as the virus can stay in your system for some time and I wanted to try to squelch it out sooner as this happened during the start of the school year and well, you know.. no rest for weary moms! Honestly, can't say for a fact that it made a difference (I was outside the 48 hour window), but can say that I was fortunate that the outbreak (right under the bra line - uncomfortable but not viewable to the outside) cleared up in under 2 weeks. I did do my best not to do that much running around and reduce stress by not taking on hosting a family holiday for about 4-6 weeks after to help keep it from flaring up.