Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Similarly, there is no permanent shingles treatment but there are a lot of alternative remedies one can find at home to relieve the symptoms of shingles. There is no better way to achieve relief from shingles than through diet, rest, and the home remedies listed below.
7 Shingles Treatments Without Medication
1. Use Baking Soda And Corn Starch
Applying baking soda and corn starch on the affected area will help dry the sores and help them to heal quickly. Leave it on your skin for 10-15 minutes before you wash it off with cold water. This paste can also lessen the itchiness to avoid making the infection worse.
2. Use Olive Leaf Extract
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Olive leaves have a lot of properties that protect your skin from viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic invasions without harming beneficial bacteria. The extract can get rid of shingles symptoms like pain, rashes, itching, inflammation, redness, and blisters. It will also naturally build your immune system to quickly get rid of the infection.
3. Apply A Wet And Cool Compress
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For some quick relief from shingles’ pain and itchiness, apply a cool or wet compress on the infected area. Doing this several times throughout the day will lessen the symptoms of shingles. Don’t use an ice pack on the rash because it will increase skin sensitivity and pain.
4. Take A Colloidal Oatmeal Bath
A colloidal oatmeal bath is one of the best-known home remedies to reduce the pain, itchiness, and irritation of shingles. Colloidal oatmeal, or rolled oats, need to be ground into a fine powder before you mix it into the bath water. This will result in the water turning into a milky color. Make sure the bath is either cold or warm, but not hot.
5. Avoid Foods with Arginine
A high level of arginine in your body lets the virus of shingles thrive and spread. It’s important to avoid foods with arginine content like nuts, chocolate, and tomatoes. Other foods with arginine include wheat germ, brussel sprouts, grapes, blackberries, and blueberries.
6. Add Lysine To Your Diet
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A diet for shingles treatment works best when your lysine level is higher than arginine. It’s recommended to take supplementary doses of lysine of about 2 grams per day. You can also find lysine in proteins, dairy, and most vegetables.
7. Get Plenty Of Rest
If you want to get rid of your infection as fast as possible, your number one priority should be strengthening your immune system naturally. Manage your stress with exercise to lessen the stress hormones in your body. Getting plenty of rest will allow your body to repair itself and maintain other healthy cells.
Do you want to know how contagious shingles are? Watch this video from Manipal Hospital to find out!
A shingles infection can spread throughout your body and it’s up to your immune system to flush out the virus. These alternative remedies will help boost your immune system and lessen the symptoms of pain and itchiness. Most importantly, a shingles treatment should include changes in your diet, extra rest, and keeping the infected area clean.
Have you tried any of these shingles treatments? Share your experience with us below!
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