• The initial symptom of shingles is often burning or tingling pain, numbness or itch in one particular location on only one side of the body. It may be accompanied by 3-4 days of slight fever, fatigue and anxiety.
• This is followed by an inflamed painful rash with reddened skin and fluid-filled blisters (resembling those of chicken pox) in the same place, sometimes in a band or line called a dermatome. (The rash follows the path of the nerve in which the virus is present, and this determines the location of the symptoms on the skin.)
• Pain can range from mild to severe.
• Some people continue to experience pain for a long time after the shingles rash resolves. This is referred to as post-herpetic neuralgia, and becomes more common with age. The pain can be severe and debilitating and may be aggravated by stress. It may be intermittent or continuous over a long period, but generally lessens over time. The pain of post-herpetic neuralgia may be described as burning, aching, piercing, or like an electric shock.

The same virus that causes chicken pox (the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the Herpes family of viruses) also causes shingles.

People who have had chicken pox are usually immune from getting it again. However, the virus lies dormant in the spinal cord and nerve tissue, and may be re-activated years later causing shingles. Shingles occurs in approximately 10-20% of people who have had chicken pox, and the risk increases with age.  

The reasons for shingles occuring are not yet fully understood, however it appears that situations that affect the immune system, such as illness, stress or trauma, can cause the virus to be re-activated. The condition is more common in people with weakened immune systems (e.g. due to HIV/AIDS, cancer, chemotherapy, or high/long-term stress).

• Echinacea helps strengthen the immune system and may assist your body in fighting infections; the antioxidant nutrients betacarotene, vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc may also be of assistance.
• Vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients are important for immune function, especially as we get older. After the age of 50, consider taking a multivitamin and mineral that’s specially formulated to support your immunity as you age, as well as addressing other key concerns, such as healthy cardiovascular and cognitive function, and healthy vision, bones and joints.
• Passionflower and hops have traditionally been used to treat neuralgia (nerve pain). These herbs are often taken with lemon balm, especially if symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness or disturbed sleep are also present. 
• Growth of herpes viruses may be encouraged by the amino acid L-arginine and their growth slowed by L-lysine. Consider taking an L-lysine supplement that also contains zinc and vitamin C, and at the same time, reduce your intake of arginine-rich foods such as nuts and chocolate. 
• Magnesium helps maintain normal nerve function.
• The herb St. John’s wort has traditionally been used for neuralgia (nerve pain) such as that experienced in shingles. You should consult a healthcare practitioner to check medicine interactions before commencing use of this herb though.