According to the Centre for Disease Control and Protection, one out of three individuals in the country will develop shingles at one point or other in their life. Shingle is a viral infection that causes painful rashes on your body. It is also known as herpes zoster. The leading cause of shingles is the varicella zoster (VZV) virus, which is the same virus that also causes chickenpox. After a person has recovered from chickenpox, this virus remains dormant in the body. It gets activated when a person’s immune system is weak that is usually the case with elderly patients.

Shingles have no cure so far. Though doctors can’t heal the condition that you are suffering from, there are some useful shingles pain treatments available that effectively manage the symptoms and prevent any further complications. Some of the common medical treatments include the use of OTC medicines like pain relievers, topical ointments, prescription medications like corticosteroids, opioids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, etc. Along with medications, shingles pain treatment also includes helpful home remedies. These natural home remedies will soothe your skin and relieve you from the constant irritation. Shingles pain treatment must be handled with care as the skin rashes are prone to become infectious and lead to difficulties.

Here are some effective natural home remedies for shingles pain treatment.

Healing baths
Daily cleaning of the blisters is necessary as they prevent the infection from spreading. A cool bath or a shower will soothe the skin as the cold water will ease your pain and irritation caused due to the blisters. You will just have to add 1 to 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal or cornstarch to the lukewarm bath water. If you wish, you can also use essential oils like tea tree or lavender in the baths. Soak in it for 15 to 20 minutes. However, don’t use hot water. Let the water cool down and take a soothing bath in it. Dry yourself properly after each bath or shower.

Cool, wet compress
Applying a cool, wet compress helps to relieve your body from the irritation and pain associated with the shingles blisters. What you need to do is soak a soft cloth in cold water and wring out the excess water to apply the cloth to the rashes and the blisters. You must follow this several times a day to minimize the symptoms and the disease. Do it with utmost care and softness as any harshness may crack the blisters, aggravating the infection.

Baking soda and cornstarch paste
You can create a paste using baking soda, cornstarch, and water. Use this paste to apply to the rashes and the blisters as they can help reduce the irritation. You can cover it with a bandage, although don’t use an adhesive variant.

Lotions and creams
Scratching the shingle blisters and rashes will prolong the condition and cause permanent scars. So you can apply some soothing lotions or creams comprising of essentials oils or aloe vera to cool off the blisters. These might not cure the rashes but will definitely give you short-term relief from itching. Try to use lotions and creams that are free from any type of chemicals.

Loose clothing
When you are dealing with shingles, it is advised that you wear loose clothing made of breathable fabric such as cotton or linen. This will prevent the aggravation of the blisters and itching, and help the rash to heal faster.

Diet
Developing a stronger immunity is significant for treating shingles. A weak immunity will worsen your condition. Therefore, you should start by making necessary changes to your diet comprising essential nutrients like Vitamin A, B-12, C, E and amino acid lysine. You should include the following food items in your diet:

• Orange and yellow fruits like oranges and lemons
• Leafy green vegetables like spinach
• Red meat like steak
• Eggs
• Chicken
• Wild caught fish
• Dairy
• Whole grains
• Legumes
• Beans
• Tomatoes

You must avoid any food with:

• High amount of sugar content
• Arginine-rich food
• Refined carbohydrates
• Foods with high levels of saturated fats

There are cases where these remedies may not work for shingles pain treatment. The best way to deal with this is to make an appointment with your doctor immediately. They can alter your medications and recommend you with some other options. Remember that it is crucial essential to consult a doctor as shingles can also lead to the complications like postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a type of nerve damage that can cause an intense pain for months and even for years.