Shingles is an extremely painful viral condition that affects the nerves in the skin. It can affect people of any age, however is most common in those over 50.

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Shingles

Shingles is an extremely painful viral condition that affects the nerves in the skin. It can affect people of any age, however is most common in those over 50.

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Symptoms

  • 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.

Causes

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).

Natural Therapies

  • 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.

Diet and Lifestyle Suggestions

  • Support your immune system by consuming plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Research suggests that people who eat less than one serve of fruit per day are three times more likely to develop shingles than people who eat three pieces of fruit per day, possibly due to their lower consumption of vitamin C and other nutrients.
  • A diet high in L-lysine and low in L-arginine may help to inhibit viruses from the Herpes family. Avoid foods rich in L-arginine (such as nuts, chocolate, and sunflower seeds). At the same time, increase foods high in L-lysine, (such as fish, milk, cheese, beef, and crustaceans). 
  • To prevent infection, avoid scratching the blisters, but be sure to maintain good hygiene practices and wash them gently every day.
  • The topical use of diluted peppermint essential oil (10% in alcohol) may help to ease the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia. Do not apply peppermint oil to the eyes, genitals or mouth, and do not apply it to the faces of babies or small children. 
  • Get plenty of rest and avoid stress, which is weakening to your immune system.

Important Notes

Seek medical assistance urgently if the shingles appear on the face, particularly near the nostrils or eyes.

You should also consult your healthcare professional if your rash persists for longer than 10 days without improvement, or if the blisters become infected (red, swollen or discharging pus).

References available on request

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Jennifer Jennifer

Hi Ethel, my name is Jennifer I am a Blackmores naturopath. Herbalists traditionally have used the seed of oats (Avena sativa) as a nervous system tonic, as it can help relax and calm the nervous system, but it is best used for stress, tension and anxiety rather than neuralgia. For nerve pain I would suggest using L-lysine and/or St. Johns wort to help with shingles. An immune booster such as echinacea can also help as shingles is often triggered by stress and a low immune system. All the best. Jennifer, posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

Could you please tell me how oats are used for the treatment of shingles.
My son is desparate with the nerve pain.
Your advice would be most appreciated.
Thank you, Ethel Bromham Ethel Bromham , posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

Charmaine Charmaine

Hi Maggie, my name is Charmaine & I’m a Blackmore’s naturopath. Shingles is caused by a virus (which has been in the body since experiencing chicken pox earlier in life), not by nerve endings being depleted of B vitamins. B vitamins can be of help during a shingles outbreak though, as shingles often occurs at a time when someone is rundown or stressed. The B vitamins help to support the health of the nervous system, and increased levels are needed during times of stress. For shingles we recommend using L-lysine, vitamin C & Zinc to help slow the growth of herpes viruses, and to strengthen the immune system. I hope this helps. If you need any more info call one of our naturopaths on the Blackmores Naturopathic Advisory Service: 1800-803-760. Charmaine, posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

neil neil

does anyone know if its possible to have shingles without the nasty skin abrasions. My story is ive been fighting a chronic nerve problem which attacks my lower spine and more importantly the groin dramatically. have had spine surgery for suspect disc lession...but to no avail..but more pain. i have chronic fatigue(epstine bar and cyclomegalavirus) and a recent trip to a magnetic therapy clinic found both these and what she said was shingles. Now my doctor isnt as agreeable as ive no massive skin break outs. I get itchy, have spinal problems, chronic nerve pain to groin/back, aswell as damaged imune system from CF. Seems the magnetic therapy lady may be right...except for the lack of skin breakouts. Any info(particularily about lack of skin break out) would be muuuuch appreciated...thanks neil , posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

MsMelbourne MsMelbourne

I've had shingles repeatedly for 18+yrs. They have come up almost every month or every 4-6 wks and this went on for YEARS. Initially, when the batch of blisters erupted, I rarely if ever had any pain preceding the redness. Occasionally it might happen, with a little bit of nerve pain down the sciatic nerve. But, I might feel little more than that irritating "burning" sensation then nasty blisters which healed within a week. NO PHN - ever. Till about 6yrs ago when the blister broke out on my tummy and it was so unusual I didn't realise it was shingles till after the blister burst. And then I had 6wks of pain - horrid bladder and groin pain. Now, after almost 18yrs, shingles are happening less, but when the blisters are awaiting eruption, the pain and flu-like symptoms have hit me incredibly. These days I end up feeling incredibly run-down, tired, aches and pains, and flu-like, which lasts for 3-4 days, irrespective of how long the shingles outbreak occurs for. No PHN since that first and only outbreak. BUT the worsening of shingles illness as I get older is getting harder to deal with. I see a chiropractor and a naturopath. The naturopath is currently treating me but so far NO improvement... yet... I have to live in hope, because after 18yrs of shingles I am getting too run down and emotional to deal with them. MsMelbourne, posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

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