Recurring Shingles Treatment

Around 90% of children are exposed to chickenpox before the age of 16; this is a mild condition which causes an itchy rash which eventually scabs over and disappears .One thing that chicken pox does leave behind is the herpes varicella-zoster virus, the same virus which caused the chicken pox in the first place. Herpes varicella-zoster (VZV) remains dormant in our sensory nervous system and can be reactivated in later life, causing shingles.

Shingles is a virus which affects the nerve and the area of skin closest to it, as VZV remains in our nervous system for life; shingles is able to continually affect us leading to recurring shingles treatment.

Why do shingles recur?

Unfortunately there is no cure for the shingles virus and once in our system we are open to the risk of developing the virus. The only way to help a bout of shingles in through treatment and recurring shingles treatment can ease the pain and irritation felt as a result of the virus.

We are generally open to the risk of recurring shingles when our immune system (the body’s natural defence) is at a low level. This can be the case because of different reasons, including:

Increased age
Stress
Suppression of the immune system
Medication

The best possible recurring shingles treatment is to keep the immune system levels as high as possible. There is numerous ways that this can be done on a self-help basis.

Boosting the immune system to prevent shingles

Various foods are healthy for the immune system and should be eaten on a regular basis, these include:

Fruit
Vegetables
Grains
High Omega 3 fish such as salmon

It is also beneficial to take one multivitamin each day alongside your healthy diet.

Try to reduce stress levels as much as possible. Being stressed is known to release a chemical known as “cortisol” into the body. Cortisol is reduces immune system levels greatly making stress a leading factor in recurring shingles. Many of us lead busy lives and stress is a part of the everyday juggling of work and managing a home. Spending time relaxing in a quiet room, laughing with friends or carrying out an activity such as meditation can be beneficial to stress reduction.

Exercise is highly recommended by GP’s to boost the immune system and is one of the best methods to reduce the need for recurring shingles treatment. 30 minutes of exercise each day can keep immune system levels high. Activities can be anything from playing sports to walking to the local shops and the more exercise you do, the more immune to shingles you are likely to become.

Treatments for the shingles virus

If you do fall victim to shingles on a regular basis, then a GP will be able to prescribe recurring shingles treatments. These are usually in the form of painkilling medications such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine as-well as antiviral medication such as aciclovir, valaciclovir and famciclovir.

Calamine lotion can also be used to sooth the shingles rash and prevent itching.