Shingles
Shingles
The virus that causes both chicken pox and shingles hides in the nervous system of anyone who’s had chicken pox, which is the majority of American adults. About 20 percent of us also will get shingles later in life. When that happens, the virus awakens with a vengeance, producing an oozing, blistering short-lived rash, and pain that can linger for months or years, long after the skin itself heals, says Karl R. Beutner, M.D., Ph.D., associate clinical professor and researcher in the department of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco.
It is not known what causes the virus to reawaken. Stress, poor nutrition, and another illness may be triggers. “Attacks tend to occur during times of great stress,” says Richard P. Huemer, M.D., holistic practitioner in Lancaster, California.
As the years roll by, your chances of shingles roll upward. Shingles is most common in people over 50, and about half of people over 80 will get the illness.
This condition is a trickster. The burning and stabbing pain often precedes the rash by one to three days, so many people don’t realize the two are connected, Dr. Beutner says. Other early symptoms may include tingling, extreme sensitivity, or a dull ache on one side of the body, usually the trunk, buttock, or thigh. You may have fever, headache, or other flu-like symptoms. If you have these symptoms, see a doctor right away. With a prompt diagnosis, you have the advantage of an opportunity for early treatment.
The rash occurs in the same area as the pain and quickly turns into pus-filled blisters that look much like the chicken pox you tried so hard to forget. The blisters themselves aren’t painful, Dr. Beutner says. Although they may occasionally scar the skin, the blisters crust over and fade in about two to three weeks.
The pain, which emanates from nerve bundles, may not fade nearly as fast. In people over 60, symptoms may be more pronounced or prolonged. What’s more, the pain can be severe enough to disrupt sleep and daily activities.
If you have symptoms of shingles, you need to see a doctor. But while you’re at home, here are some additional ways you can keep discomfort at bay or even prevent shingles from paying you an unwelcome visit.
Try This First
Other Wise Ways
Get into a lather. Wash your hands regularly, Dr. Beutner says, especially if you have an oozing rash from shingles. The blisters contain varicella virus, so you could unknowingly infect someone with chicken pox. You also can cover the blisters with an antibiotic ointment, such as Polysporin, and wrap the area with gauze.
Pull the reins on pain. With your physician’s okay, reach for acetaminophen or another mild over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, Dr. Beutner says. Your doctor can prescribe stronger medicine for more serious discomfort.
Pack some heat. If your pain remains after the rash, you can smooth a Capsaicin cream on the affected area three or four times a day, Dr. Beutner says. But be sure you have no more rash. Capsaicin cream is made from the extract of hot pepper. “On an open rash, it really hurts,” he says. Capsaicin cream usually begins to work within two to four weeks, but it must be applied three or four times a day, every day. If the product is not used in this way, pain may recur in a few days or weeks. When you first apply Capsaicin cream, you may feel a burning sensation on your skin, which should subside within a few weeks.
Take care of you. Because stress is a factor in developing shingles, relaxation is important. “Pace yourself,” Dr. Beutner says. Stop and put your feet up or take an afternoon nap, especially if you don’t feel well. “People should listen to their bodies and rest when they feel tired,” he says.
Since the pain of shingles can interrupt your normal night’s sleep, try to make up for lost rest at other times during the day, Dr. Beutner says. Getting plenty of rest will keep you healthier overall and may help you mend more quickly.
Eat to your health. “Probably the best prevention is a healthy lifestyle and immune system,” Dr. Huemer says. Poor nutrition contributes to weakened immunity. The American Dietetic Association recommends eating at least five vegetables and fruits daily, along with an array of whole grains, dairy products, lean meats and fish, and small amounts of fat.
Look to lysine. Your diet also should include an amino acid called lysine, says Dr. Huemer. This amino acid, which prevents viruses from growing and spreading, may bring your bout with shingles to a quicker end. You can boost your lysine intake by drinking milk and eating potatoes and chicken. They are good sources of lysine, Dr. Huemer says.
It’s hard to get enough lysine to prevent shingles outbreaks through diet alone. Luckily, lysine also is sold at stores. Take 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times a day during an outbreak, Dr. Huemer says. For prevention, use 1,000 milligrams a day.
Do Bs and more Bs.
Bring in some big doses. For super-immunity during an outbreak, Dr. Huemer recommends a daily regimen of:
• 10,000 international units (IU) vitamin A
• 10,000 milligrams vitamin C
• 800 IU vitamin E
• 50 milligrams B complex
• 100 to 200 milligrams pantothenic acid
• 25,000 IU beta-carotene
• 200 micrograms selenium
• 60 milligrams coenzyme Q10
• 25 milligrams zinc
Since most of these doses are way over the Daily Values for these nutrients, and supplements may cause problems at these high levels, these supplement levels should be monitored by a doctor. High doses of vitamin C, for example, can cause diarrhea in some people. Also, although vitamin E is generally sold in doses of 400 IU, one small study showed a possible risk of stroke in dosages higher than 200 IU. Consult with your doctor if you are at high risk for stroke.
See something completely different. When you’re in pain, it’s easy to wonder if it will ever go away, says Emmett Miller, M.D., mind-body specialist and author in Nevada City, California. That can make your perception of the pain worse, he says. Dr. Miller teaches patients to use visualization to see and feel their pain differently.
Managing Your Meds
Oral corticosteroids such as prednisone (Deltasone), taken for certain types of arthritis, allergies, and skin conditions, may weaken the immune system, causing shingles to appear, says W. Steven Pray, Ph.D., R.Ph., professor of nonprescription drug products at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. Using a nonprescription topical steroid such as hydrocortisone (Cortaid) on an area of skin affected by shingles could cause the lesions to spread further and last longer.
First, take a deep breath and relax as you slowly let it out. Close your eyes and allow an image that represents your pain to arise in your mind. Is it hot or cold? Is it moving? What color is it? Perhaps you see a twisting red-hot poker, Dr. Miller says.
Now, create a parallel image of something that would remove that object’s harmful quality, and put it to use. You might picture a fire hose extinguishing the hot poker, or an Eskimo with a bucket of snow, Dr. Miller says. If you can learn to transform your mental image of pain, he says, you may feel less affected by it physically.
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