Shingles Pain Relief

The word shingle is derived from a French word which means girdle (belt). Shingles, also referred to as zoster, is a viral infection of nerves and is caused by the same virus which causes chicken pox. This virus is named as herpes zoster virus. If you had chicken pox in your childhood, then there are more chances of you getting shingles. This is mainly caused in people suffering from cancer, HIV, etc. as their immune systems are weak. People whose age is more than 50 years also have greater chances of getting shingles.

The virus tends to become dormant and stays in the spinal cord of a patient who has suffered from chicken pox. Shingles is caused due to the reactivation of this virus, in which the virus circulates from the nerve distribution of the skin referred to as dermatomes. 1 person among 5 experiences reactivation of this virus. After this virus is reactivated, it travels along the sensory nerves, then it goes to the skin where it results in shingles. The shingle band is found in only one side of the body.

Pain Relief from Shingles
To heal or reduce the pain from shingles, it is necessary to have a detailed knowledge about it. If you know about it well, you will be able to cure shingles pain soon. In the initial stage, it appears as bright red rashes. Also, these rashes itch to some extent. It is the main symptom of shingles. After two days, liquid filled blisters come out on the surface as shingles rash. It is quite painful and has a burning sensation. This itching and burning sensation continues till the blisters dry or fall out. These blisters dry after a span of almost 14 days. Avoid touching shingles unnecessarily as it spreads. Hence, no skin to skin contact should be made and proper skin care should be taken. Wear loose and thin clothes. Avoid wearing thick and tight clothes as they might aggravate the itching and blistering.

For soothing the pain, itching and burning sensation of shingles disease, place an ice pack on the affected area. This will ease the itching to a large extent and will also give some relief from burning. However, the calmness provided by ice is temporary. Washing can also be a remedy for shingles pain relief. Wash it mildly with a wet cloth and soap. This will also help in drying the blisters. After you are finished with washing the blisters, dry it and apply calamine lotion with a Q tip. This lotion will help in easing the itching and burning sensation. It will also help you in shingles nerve pain relief. To keep yourself away from shingles, you can also protect yourself by taking a shingles vaccine.

For getting rid of shingles, relaxation is a must. Stress is one of the reasons for shingle outbreaks. During the relaxation period, the stress is reduced which in turn lessens the pain caused during the shingles outbreak. You can also opt for massage, focused breathing, visualization, etc.

TENS, an electronic nerve stimulator, can also be used as a means for shingles pain relief. For soothing the pain, the electrodes are aimed on the affected area and a current of electrical impulses stimulates the nerve pathways.

After the healing of blisters, there are chances that the nerve pain may continue. This nerve pain can last from several weeks to a few months and in severe cases even years. There are many remedies for shingles pain relief. I have just mentioned a few important ones. Healthy diet with lots of vitamin intake, daily exercise, sufficient rest and personal hygiene are the keys to keep yourself away from shingles.