How to Relieve the Pain of Shingles
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Sharon
Posted on: September 15, 2006

I have had shingles since November 2005. My rash went away after having the shingles around 3 weeks. However, my pain is still here. It is still very painful and is affecting my work. About a month ago I went to a lady who told me to use some drops called Shingle Shingazea. I have been using this for about a month. I cannot tell any difference in the pain of my shingles. Do you have something that will heal these shingles, help with the pain or anything?

We have answered questions about shingles previously. Please see our website www.richters.com. Choose "Q&A" from the main menu, then enter "shingles" for the search.

The pain of shingles typically lasts many months after the rash disappears. The length of time the pain lasts depends to some extent on the care given. Because shingles is a disease of the nerves, the nervous system needs very special care. Three vital factors in care at this time are nourishing the nerve cells, avoiding foods that stimulate the nerves (coffee, tea, sugar, chocolate, alcohol) and avoiding stress. Herbs and foods are listed in our previous answers.

Avoiding stress can be more of a challenge. The steps to stress avoidance include daily physical exercise, yoga, breathing exercises, drinking relaxing herbal teas throughout the day, listening to relaxation cds or tapes. Awareness meditation exercises your awareness, making it possible to recognize when stress is coming on so that you can counter it immediately by relaxation exercises like deep breathing. Of course you can become stressed just thinking about adding all of these activities to your day, so you must choose what you think will be most effective activities for nourishing your nerves.

Good nutrition and a good night’s sleep are very important. Vitamin B complex is usually recommended to nourish the nerves.

Externally, Saint John’s wort oil nourishes the nerves and can diminish the pain.

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