Having shingles can be a very painful experience. The rash, which is caused by a viral infection, can appear anywhere on the body, but in most cases, it is founded in the torso area. It can erupt at any time without warning and can happen to just about anyone regardless of age, so it pays for everyone to understand what it is and the best treatment options for shingles.
Medications:
Probably the most common treatment prescribed by your doctor is antiviral medication to treat the painful rash. While these medications cannot cure the infection, they can help to reduce the symptoms and the length of time the rash will take to heal. Most people will take these medication and utilize several effective home treatments at the same time to try to quicken their recovery time.
Oatmeal Baths:
One of the best treatment options for shingles is an old-fashioned oatmeal bath. You can buy a premade oatmeal solution at your local drugstore but they’re pretty easy to make. Just make sure that you use cool or lukewarm water in your bath. Water temperatures that are too cold or too warm can easily irritate the rash causing even more pain rather than easing some of your suffering.
Wet Compresses:
If you don’t have time to soak in a bath, you can get the same effect by applying a cool, wet compress to the infected area. Simply soak a towel in cool water, wring it out thoroughly and apply to the infected area. Press it to the area for several minutes at a time and then repeat.
In both the oatmeal bath and the wet compress make sure that you wash the towels thoroughly with a bleaching solution after treatment. This will ensure that the virus cannot be passed on to anyone else by accident.
Lotions And Creams:
You can also apply a few healing lotions and creams to the infected area as a means of getting relief from the rash. It’s important to understand that not all lotions and creams will work in relieving the pain and irritation that come from shingles. Always avoid anything with perfume or fragrances added as they can irritate the area and cause additional discomfort. Stick with healing lotions like Calamine and Caladryl for the best results. These are anti-itch lotions and work well as topical analgesics.
If the natural treatments aren’t working for you, there are also a number of over-the-counter drug store medications that can be very effective. Many believe that one of the best treatment options for shingles is capsaicin, a pepper extract that has been used as a pain reliever for centuries. Most of these medications can be purchased at your local drug store without a prescription from your doctor.
Having shingles can be a very unpleasant experience but it is possible to treat it yourself with a few natural home remedies. However, if your condition does not improve or it seems to be getting worse, it is very important that you consult with your doctor as soon as possible to make sure that you’re not also dealing with other underlying problems that can complicate the problem.
