Shingles - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Shingles - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a painful disease, blistering rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). Having shingles is no laughing matter, you can have severe flu-like symptoms, burning and pain, and a host of other unpleasant symptoms. The good news is that there is an effective, natural treatment against herpes zoster, which can relieve pain and speed healing of the characteristic rash.

What are the shingles symptoms?

If you have had chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in the nerves for years, then suddenly become active again, resulting in the disease known as shingles.

The first signs of the shingles disease usually include itching or burning on one side of the body, which normally occurs before the onset of the typical rash. Once the rash is visible on the skin, it can form small blisters that eventually burst and scab over. The rash is usually confined to the middle part of the body, although it can be found on the face and neck, as well.

Other common symptoms include:

Fever and / or chills;

Abdominal pain;

Headache;

Joint pain;

Drooping eyelids;

Loss of eye movement, vision problems;

Loss of facial mobility;

Joint pain;

Swollen lymph nodes.

How do doctors normally treat shingles?

While shingles usually clears itself, doctors usually prescribe antiviral drugs to help speed up the course of the disease to be effective, the drugs must be given within the first 24 hours of the onset of the symptoms. Corticosteroids may also be prescribed to help ease the pain of the eruption of vesicles.

The disadvantage of taking antiviral drugs is the possibility of adverse side effects, including headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, and decreased urination.

What is the best all-natural treatment for the most painful symptomsof herpes zoster?