What is Shingles?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
After a person has chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in the nervous system for years. Later in life, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles. The symptoms of shingles typically begin with pain, itching, or tingling in a specific area of the skin. This is followed by the appearance of a rash, which can be accompanied by fever, headache, and fatigue.
The rash usually appears as a band or strip of blisters on one side of the body, although it can also occur on the face, eyes, or other parts of the body. The blisters can be very painful and may take several weeks to heal.
The incidence of shingles is highest among people who are in their fifties and around 1 in 2 shingles cases occur in people age 60 and older. Additionally, about 200,000 healthy people between the ages of 50 and 59 every year and just under 1 in 15 people who get shingles will get it a second time. There are about 1 million shingles cases in the United States each year. While older people are at greater risk, people of all ages can get shingles.
Shingles is not contagious, but people who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine can develop chickenpox if they come into contact with the fluid from shingles blisters.
The symptoms of shingles typically include:
✓ Pain, itching, or burning in a specific area of the skin, usually on one side of the body.
✓ A rash that appears as a band or strip of blisters on the skin, which may be accompanied by redness or swelling.
✓ Fever, headache, and fatigue.
✓ Sensitivity to touch or pressure in the affected area.
✓ Fluid-filled blisters that break open and form crusts.
✓ Itching, tingling, or stabbing pain in the affected area even after the rash has healed.
✓ Shingles can affect the eyes and cause vision problems or even blindness.
The symptoms of shingles can be very painful and uncomfortable, and they can last for several weeks.
What Are Some Long-Term Complications of Shingles?
While most people recover from shingles without serious complications, in some cases, the virus can cause long-term complications. These can include:
❖ Postherpetic neuralgia: This is the most common long-term complication of shingles, affecting up to 20% of people who have had shingles. It is characterized by persistent pain, burning, or tingling in the area where the shingles rash occurred. The pain can last for months or even years after the rash has healed.
❖ Vision problems: If shingles affects the eyes, it can cause a condition called herpes zoster ophthalmicus, which can lead to vision loss or even blindness.
❖ Hearing or balance problems: In rare cases, shingles can affect the ear and cause hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or problems with balance.
❖ Skin infections: The blisters from shingles can become infected, leading to skin inflammation and scarring.
❖ Neurological problems: In very rare cases, shingles can cause inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, which can lead to neurological problems such as seizures, difficulty moving or speaking, or confusion.
Are There Problems With The “Approved” Vaccines?
There are currently two vaccines available to for shingles:
1. The Zostavax vaccine: This vaccine was the first vaccine available to prevent shingles. It is a live vaccine that is believed to reduce the risk of developing shingles by about 50%, and the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia by about 67%. However, there is a risk that a live virus vaccine is not weakened enough to prevent exposing the patient to the very disease they were seeking to avoid. In this case the strain of the varicella-zoster virus was not weakened enough to prevent the reactivation of the virus. So, patients endured a combination of the live virus combined with the old virus, creating an even more powerful strand of the shingles virus. Consequently, this vaccine is no longer available in some countries, including the United States.
2. The Shingrix vaccine: This is a non-live vaccine that is given in two doses, 2 to 6 months apart.
Complications include:
A. Allergic reactions: Symptoms can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness.
B. Guillain-Barré syndrome: The shingles vaccine can cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the nerves. This can cause muscle weakness, tingling, and paralysis.
Are There Things to Avoid?
· Processed and sugary foods: Processed foods and sugary drinks may increase inflammation in the body and worsen shingles symptoms. It is best to avoid these types of foods during a shingles outbreak.
· Foods high in arginine: Some people have reported that foods high in arginine, such as nuts, chocolate, and seeds, may trigger shingles outbreaks.
· Alcohol: Alcohol may weaken the immune system and increase inflammation in the body, which can worsen shingles symptoms.
Herbs that May help Boost the Immune System:
There are several herbs that have antiviral properties, which may help boost the immune system and fight off viral infections. Here are the most popular antiviral herbs:
➢ Echinacea: Echinacea contains several active compounds, including polysaccharides, alkylamides, and flavonoids, which have been shown to have immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds may help increase the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infections in the body.
➢ Garlic: Garlic contains several active compounds, including allicin, which has antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
➢ Ginger: Ginger contains several active compounds, including gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
➢ Licorice root: Licorice has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, as it contains compounds that can help fight off harmful bacteria and viruses. Licorice may also be helpful in reducing stress and improving adrenal function, making it beneficial for people with adrenal fatigue or chronic stress.
➢ Peppermint: Peppermint has antimicrobial properties, which helps to fight off harmful bacteria and viruses in the body. Additionally, peppermint oil may have analgesic properties, which can help reduce pain and inflammation in conditions like tension headaches and migraines.
➢ Astragalus: Astragalus contains several active compounds, including polysaccharides and saponins, which have immunomodulatory properties that can help regulate and enhance the immune system.
➢ Turmeric: Turmeric has the active ingredient in turmeric, called curcumin, which has been found to inhibit the replication of several viruses, including herpes virus, hepatitis B virus, and HIV. Curcumin works by interfering with the virus's ability to replicate and spread. It can also help stimulate the immune system, which can help the body fight off viral infections.
➢ St. John's Wort: St. John's Wort has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties which helps to boost the immune system.
➢ Reishi mushroom: Reishi mushroom has antiviral and immune-boosting properties.
➢ Olive leaf: Olive leaf extract has antiviral properties and helps reduce the severity and duration.
Self-Care Tips:
There are several methods that may help prevent shingles or reduce the severity of symptoms. These include:
▪ Taking care of your immune system: Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress can help boost your immune system and reduce your risk of developing shingles.
▪ Practicing good hygiene: Washing your hands frequently and avoiding close contact with people who have chickenpox or shingles can help reduce your risk of contracting the virus.
▪ Using natural remedies: Some natural remedies, such as essential oils, and apple cider vinegar, may help relieve the symptoms of shingles and reduce the risk of complications.
▪ Getting acupuncture: Some studies have suggested that acupuncture may help reduce the severity and duration of shingles symptoms.
▪ Managing Stress: Managing stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, or other activities that help you relax.
▪ Cool compresses: Applying cool compresses to the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation.
▪ Oatmeal baths: Adding colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath can help soothe the skin and reduce itching.
▪ Aloe vera: Applying aloe vera gel to the affected area may help reduce pain and inflammation.
▪ Capsaicin cream: Topical capsaicin cream, made from chili peppers, may help reduce pain associated with shingles by blocking pain signals to the brain.
▪ Vitamin supplements: Some studies suggest that taking vitamin supplements, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B12, can help reduce the severity and duration.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this website are based upon the views of Dr. Walker and his experience. This product is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is likewise not to replace the advice of a qualified health care provider. The information provided herein is intended as a sharing of general knowledge only and is not intended to be, nor is it, medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. That being said, please consult your healthcare provider before using supplements or providing supplements to children under the age of 18. If you have or suspect you have, a specific medical condition or disease, please consult your healthcare provider.
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