Shingles Home Remedies: Aloe Vera

The viral illness that many of us know as shingles can accelerate fairly quickly, and lots of people who figure out that they have the beginning stages of this condition will be looking for shingles home remedies. Shingles is an emergence of the varicella zoster virus also responsible for chickenpox. When this virus reemerges in the body, it infects the nerves and causes pain and other symptoms, often on just one side of the body. Shingles can be scary and difficult to treat, but some multi-stage strategies can help patients handle the pain and uncomfortable symptoms, while getting to the root of this virus (and overcoming it).

Aloe Vera and Shingles

Since shingles is a nerve related illness, it can cause high levels of pain. In addition, blisters or sores may develop on the skin, where after several days they may break or ooze before healing over. During these times, the aloe vera plant can provide a topical solution that can soothe pain or itching while delivering needed materials to the surface of the skin to aid in healing.

Using Aloe Vera

If you want to use aloe vera for your shingles symptoms, it’s best to use the leaves of the plant directly. You can take several leaves, split them in half, and rub the gel inside over the affected areas. This will provide a soothing topical solution.

Those with shingles can also buy aloe vera gel or juice at a pharmacy. However, look for natural products rather than synthetic ones, since some of the “fake” aloe vera products are not as effective.

More about Shingles

Aside from the pain and itching associated with the skin sores that can manifest with shingles, sufferers of this condition may also experience flu-like symptoms including fever, stomachache and other intense maladies. Doctors often recommend avoiding extreme stress during shingles, as it can make the condition worse. A good diet and general immune system boosters can help minimize the risks of developing this illness.

Anyone whose immune system is compromised is at higher risk for shingles. Pregnant women and children are also generally at risk for this condition. In many cases, shingles occurs in older people whose aging changes the way their body fight off viruses.

If you have any of the symptoms of shingles, talk to your doctor about the best personal treatments for your condition. Doctors may recommend aloe vera or some other natural remedies for the pain, or they may recommend over-the-counter pain medication or prescribe clinical strength medicines when shingles gets out of hand or pain levels increase. Getting good qualified medical advice will help you deal with an emerging shingles condition in the way that gives you the best chance of getting it to diminish, leaving you healthy and pain-free.