There is no treatment capable of curing herpes zoster and, therefore, the virus needs to be eliminated by each person’s immune system. However, some home remedies, such as oatmeal or chamomile baths, can be used to help relieve itching and discomfort, as well as speed up skin healing.
These home remedies can be used to complement the treatment recommended by your doctor, however, they should only be applied to areas of the skin that do not have open wounds, as they can cause more irritation and worsen symptoms.
Herpes zoster can resurface at any time in people who have had chickenpox or shingles itself, as the virus remains inactive in the body for many years and can be reactivated when the immune system is weakened, as in the case of HIV infection, treatment cancer or autoimmune diseases, for example.
Some home remedy options for shingles are:
1. Apple cider vinegar compresses
Apple cider vinegar has great properties for treating skin irritations and injuries. In the case of herpes zoster, the acidity of the vinegar helps to dry the blisters and, therefore, in addition to facilitating healing, it also reduces itching.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar;
- 1 cup of warm water.
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients in a basin and then place compresses or pieces of clean tissue in the mixture until they are completely wet. Then, remove excess liquid from the compresses and apply directly to the affected skin without wounds for 5 minutes. Finally, the skin must be allowed to air dry.
2. Cornstarch and bicarbonate paste
The paste made with cornstarch and baking soda is a great natural way to dry out herpes zoster lesions and at the same time soothe skin irritation, reducing all the discomfort caused by the virus infection.
Ingredients
- 10 grams of cornstarch (cornstarch);
- 10 grams of sodium bicarbonate;
- Water.
Preparation mode
Mix the cornstarch and bicarbonate in a small dish and then add a few drops of water until you obtain a homogeneous paste. Finally, apply this paste to the shingles blisters, avoiding areas with open wounds.
After 10 to 15 minutes, remove the paste with warm water and repeat the process several times a day, as necessary.
3. Oatmeal bath
The oat bath has pantothenic acid, beta-glucans, vitamins B1 and B2 and amino acids in its composition, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties for the skin, and also acts as a moisturizer due to the large amounts of starch in its composition, helping to relieve itchy skin, being a good home remedy option to protect and soothe skin irritated by shingles.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup of oat flour;
- 1 liter of hot water.
Preparation mode
Grind the oat flour in a blender or mixer until you obtain a very fine powder. Add the oat powder and water to a bowl and mix for about 15 minutes, until it is completely dissolved and the water turns milky in color.
Finally, wait for it to cool down and take a bath using water with oats on the area affected by shingles, leaving it to act for 10 to 20 minutes, ideally without using any type of soap. It is important that the water is at a temperature closer to that of the skin, as hot water tends to make itching worse.
Rinse the body with running water and dry with a clean, dry and soft towel.
4. Calendula Oil
The flavonoids present in calendula oil have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin irritation and promote the healing of blisters, reducing itching symptoms caused by shingles.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Put some calendula oil on your hand and rub it over the shingles blisters, letting it air dry. This process can be repeated several times a day, especially after washing your skin, for example.
5. Chamomile bath
Chamomile is a plant widely used as a natural calming agent, not only for the nervous system, but also for the skin, and can be used for skin irritation or inflammation, helping to improve symptoms such as pain and itching caused by shingles.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons of chamomile flowers;
- 1 liter of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Place the ingredients in a container and let it rest for 10 minutes. Then, strain and use warm water to wash the area affected by shingles.
Another option for using chamomile is to apply ointments made with this plant on the shingles blisters, to reduce itching throughout the day.
Other precautions that should be taken
Some precautions should also be taken at home to help eliminate the virus, speed up recovery and reduce the discomfort caused by the infection, such as:
- Rest and avoid tasks that use a lot of energy;
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day;
- Always keep the affected region clean and dry;
- Avoid covering the affected skin, letting it breathe;
- Do not scratch the blisters;
- Apply cold compresses to the area to reduce itching.
If the itching and pain do not improve with the compresses, you should consult a dermatologist or a general practitioner, who may recommend the use of creams or ointments that help alleviate the symptoms. When the pain is very intense, the doctor may also recommend the use of painkillers, such as paracetamol, for example. See how shingles is treated.
