Shingles (herpes zolster) - is a virus which is characterised by a rash which is made up of blisters and which can be very painful. Usually the rash is on one side of the body. Symptoms can last between two and five weeks, but for some people it can last a lot longer.
The initial treatment of shingles is by the use of antiviral drugs which are prescribed by your doctor. Depending on the severity of the shingles depends on how long these drugs are prescribed for. Also because the rash when it blisters can cause agonising pain, prescribed painkillers are also often given.
The following natural remedies can be used to help the rash to heal faster and provide pain relief:
Use Calamine Lotion to sooth the area
Bathe the rash with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with a cup of water.
Try cayenne pepper mixed into a mild soothing body lotion, preferably one that is fragrance free or 100% natural to avoid irritation.
Mix uncooked oatmeal with a small amount of water to form a paste and apply this to the affected area(s)
Add 10 ten drops of chamomile, lavender and tea tree oil to your bath and soak for 15-20 minutes. Other essential oils which are useful include bergamot, lemon, eucalyptus and geranium.
Use bio-oil to soothe and hydrate the area.
Natural remedies are often the very best at healing the skin instead of using lots of different medication including prescribed creams. This remedies won't cure shingles (you definitely need to go to your doctor if you suspect you have shingles) but will soothe the rash and provide temporarary pain relief and should help heal the rash quicker than using nothing at all.
I hope you found this article useful, for more on natural remedies please visit: http://stardust9023-naturalremedies.blogspot.com/