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5 Home Treatments To Try If You Have Shingles

Shingles infection can happen if the virus that causes chickenpox reactivates insideyour body after some time. Shingles infection can be very painful. Try these 5 remedies to get relief besides the re

By Lekhaka

Did you ever have chickenpox? If yes, there is a good chance that the varicella zoster virus is still there in the body after lying dormant for several years;it gets reactivated due to any kind of stress or illness leading to the ailment called shingles. It is clinically a different disease than herpes though both arecaused by the virus of the herpes family.

Shingles is a viral infection which causes rash in any part of the body, mostly on the torso.

To treat shingles, antiviral medications are often prescribed. These drugs reduce the duration of the infection and curb the infection. There are also natural remedies to treat shingles. Try these natural remedies parallel to taking the medicines and you will get relief from the discomfort fast.

Here are 5home remedies to treat shingles:

1. Use cool water:

1. Use cool water:

Soak your body's affected areas in cool water for some time and then dry it with clean cloth. But the temperature of the water shouldn't be too cold to cause discomfort. Always ensure that the cloth you use for your own skin is sanitised in hot water so that the infection does not get transmitted.

2. Wet compress:

2. Wet compress:

Besides cool bath, this is another effective way to treat shingles infection. Compress with a cloth or towel dipped in cool water reduces the pain and infection. But don't forget to wash the cloth after using it to avoid spread of the infection. Avoid ice packs.

3. Healing bath:

3. Healing bath:

Taking a bathin colloidal oatmeal and starch can also soothe the irritation. Mix the product in lukewarm and not hot water and then dry the skin as said above. Sanitise the towel.

4. Suitable lotions:

4. Suitable lotions:

Apply soothing lotions on the affected area and wash your hands off after it is done to prevent infection. Lotions that have capsaicin (extract of pepper) in them relieve pain. Follow instructions while using these products.

5. Cornstarch or baking soda:

5. Cornstarch or baking soda:

Apply cornstarch or baking soda to dry the sores. Do not scratch the blisters. They will fall of naturally.

But the most important thing is to go by the doctor's prescription. If the problem aggravates, it may result in nerve damage which will cause pain for years to come.

Story first published: Saturday, December 24, 2016, 11:38 [IST]
Read more about: skin infection virus