Everyone knows that shingles is a very debilitating and a painful experience. Because of this, a lot of people want to know how to prevent or cure it. What is the truth about so called shingles treatments?
Cure for Shingles
There is an ongoing debate on whether there is really a cure for shingles or not. The truth is that the term "cure" may be a little too strong to use. Experts say that there is no real absolute cure for shingles. There is however, no need to despair because they can be treated and controlled.
Medication can reduce the pain and cut the length of time that a person has shingles. Studies also show that even though there is no cure for shingles, treatment can limit a person's chances of suffering from complications like post herpetic neuralgia and blindness.
Medication for Shingles
Anti virals cannot be seen as shingles cure because it cannot properly kill the virus. Proper medication however will step up the crusting and healing of shingles blisters by a number of days. Doctors usually prescribe anti viral medication combined with other pain relieving medications.
In order for the treatment to be effective, it must be administered as soon as the disease is detected. It is recommended that medical assistance be sought within 48-72 hours after the first signs of shingles emerge. The first signs are usually pain and some rashes.
Shingles Vaccine
Immunization used to be the only solution to reduce the risk of chicken pox. Recently, researchers have come up with a solution not as a cure but as a way of preventing it in people over 60 who have had chicken pox but not shingles.
Results of a study show that a new vaccine may reduce the incidence of shingles in the elderly and works best in people who are 60 and above but not over 69. Nonetheless, the vaccine did not prevent 100% in all the participants of the study. Science is still far from discovering a real effective cure for shingles.
Controlling the Spread of the Virus
Although you can't really spread shingles just by mere contact, you can spread the virus to individuals who have never had chicken pox or have not been vaccinated through direct contact with your blisters. Common sense should therefore tell you that you should avoid direct contact with infants, children and pregnant women. In a lot of people who have had chicken pox, there is no need for direct contact with someone who has them to get shingles. A poor immune system is enough to trigger shingles.
Supporting Your Immune System
Although a good and healthy lifestyle don't directly prevent shingles, it can strengthen the body's immune system against the disease. Make sure that you cut down on smoking and drinking too much alcohol. You should also cut your stress levels since stress can affect your immune system. It would also do your body a lot of good if you exercised regularly and ate a balanced diet with foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
The secret in finding the top cure for shingles is to understand what cause shingles. Be informed before it's too late!