Shingles - 5 natural alternatives for treatment

Veröffentlicht am: October 25, 2024
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann

General practitioner

If you suddenly discover a rash with red, pin-sized blisters on your skin, you could be suffering from herpes zoster, better known as shingles.

Typical characteristic: The rash spreads from the spine like a belt around the body and accompanying symptoms such as itching or pain are present.

 

➤ Two to five people in every 1,000 fall ill with shingles every year.

 

If you would like to find out more about shingles, symptoms and natural treatment options, you should read this guide.

Contents

What is shingles (herpes zoster)?

Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Infection with the virus often occurs in childhood. After infection, the virus continues to circulate in the body and often remains inactive until adulthood.

However, if the varicella zoster virus breaks out, it manifests itself in the form of a typical skin rash in which the affected area swells, reddens and forms blisters on the skin.

The disease got its name "shingles" from the shape of its appearance - it spreads from the spine like a belt. It infects the nerve tracts around the body.

What are the symptoms of shingles?

Initially, shingles usually makes itself felt through pain and develops into the painful skin rash mentioned above after a few days. Those affected also often complain of itching, burning, numbness and tingling.

As the disease progresses, small blisters usually form on the affected area, causing nerve pain, fever, headaches, sensitivity to touch and a general feeling of discomfort. As with many other diseases, shingles can lead to complications. The most common is post-herpetic neuralgia, a nerve pain that persists after shingles. This affects around 10-18% of patients and can last for months or even years.

Although shingles most commonly occurs on one side of the trunk, it is also possible to have it on the face (facial shingles), for example. In this case, the affected area is usually one half of the face or neck. 

 

➤ But be careful: not everyone affected has visible symptoms. It can also happen that no rash develops and only pain is felt.

 

Other symptoms associated with shingles are:

  • Formation of fluid-filled vesicles
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Light sensitivity

What is the cause of shingles?

As already mentioned, infection with the varicella zoster virus often occurs in childhood.

 

➤ But: Even after you have contracted chickenpox, this does not mean that you are immune to shingles. If your immune system is weakened, the zoster virus can reactivate. The result: shingles spreads.

 

A weakened immune system can be the result of the natural ageing process, but can also be triggered by various factors, such as

  • Chronic diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, but also chronic inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Tumors
  • HIV infections
  • Organ transplantation
  • certain medications
  • Stress, mental and psychological strain
  • Exposure to sunlight

Who can be affected by shingles?

Almost 50 % of people with the disease are aged 60 and over, but it can also occur in children, adolescents and adults .

The duration of shingles is usually between two and four weeks. The majority of people will only experience shingles once, but it is also possible to contract it several times.

How contagious is shingles?

The risk of infection with shingles is very low - especially if the person who is in close contact with the infected person has already had chickenpox. Then even close contact is harmless.

However, pregnant women are an exception - if they become infected with the varicella zoster virus, there is a risk of chickenpox being transmitted to the unborn child, which is extremely dangerous.

Please also note that the fluid in the blisters is infectious as it contains the virus. 

How is shingles treated?

Shingles treatment should be started as early as possible. In principle, a vaccination is available to prevent an outbreak and is recommended for people aged 60 and over. Nevertheless, there is always a residual risk of infection. 

Antiviral medication, pain therapy and skin care solutions are prescribed to shorten the duration of the disease and minimize the risk of secondary diseases. As shingles is associated with severe pain, this treatment is often welcome.

Nevertheless, taking strong medication can lead to side effects, which is why natural remedies should also be considered. The majority of natural treatment methods are aimed at strengthening the immune system and thus fighting the virus in the long term.

What natural alternatives are there to treat shingles?

Do you already have shingles? Naturopathy offers many remedies to support you in your treatment and strengthen your immune system.

Turmeric

It is believed that the curcumin contained in turmeric can help the body fight many infections. Infections caused by viruses can be prevented by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

In traditional Indian medicine in particular, creams containing curcumin have been used to combat diseases that cause blisters (such as shingles).

Vitamin C

The antioxidant vitamin C is known to strengthen the immune system. The reason for this is the increased production of messenger substances that support the immune system in the fight against viruses. Vitamin C not only helps in the fight against already active viruses and infections, but also increases protection against infection or an outbreak.

In a study involving 67 test subjects, it was found that the intravenous administration of 7.5 mg vitamin C daily over a period of two weeks had a positive effect on the sensation of pain as well as on the duration and symptoms of shingles. However, it has also been observed that taking high doses of vitamin C orally can provide relief.

Magnesium

Magnesium acts as a pain receptor blocker in the body. Taking it calms the nerves and relieves the pain that accompanies shingles. In one study, it was observed that pain levels were significantly lower after 20 to 30 minutes compared to placebo.

Reishi mushroom

Reishi mushroom(Ganoderma lucidum) is a mushroom that has been used medicinally for centuries in China, Japan and Korea. Some components of the reishi mushroom appear to have antiviral properties.

In a study with Japanese shingles patients, a formulation containing reishi and other herbal active ingredients led to immediate pain relief and elimination of symptoms.

Much of the benefit of reishi mushroom could be attributed to its ability to combat immune senescence (slow deterioration of the immune system in older people) and promote a healthy immune system.

Vitamin B complex

The vitamin B complex supports the affected nerve cells in their regeneration and minimizes the risk of nerve damage as a result of shingles. In addition, the vitamin B complex reduces the feeling of stress, which in turn can have a positive effect on the immune system.

Conclusion:

  • Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the same virus as chickenpox.
  • A chickenpox infection does not immunize against shingles. The viruses remain in the body and can break out if the immune system is weakened.
  • The affected area swells, reddens and forms blisters on the skin.
  • In addition to conventional medicine, natural alternatives such as vitamin C, magnesium, reishi mushroom, turmeric capsules or vitamin B complex capsules can be used to alleviate the symptoms.

 

Sources (in English):

Schencking, M., Vollbracht, C., Weiss, G., Lebert, J., Biller, A., Goyvaerts, B., & Kraft, K. (2012). Intravenous vitamin C in the treatment of shingles: results of a multicenter prospective cohort study. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 18(4), CR215–CR224. doi: 10.12659/msm.882621

Paterson R. R. (2006). Ganoderma - a therapeutic fungal biofactory. Phytochemistry, 67(18), 1985–2001. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2006.07.004

Hijikata, Y., Yasuhara, A., & Sahashi, Y. (2005). Effect of an herbal formula containing Ganoderma lucidum on reduction of herpes zoster pain: a pilot clinical trial. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 33(4), 517–523. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X05003120

Xu, Z., Chen, X., Zhong, Z., Chen, L., & Wang, Y. (2011). Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides: immunomodulation and potential anti-tumor activities. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 39(1), 15–27. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X11008610

Nelson, K. M., Dahlin, J. L., Bisson, J., Graham, J., Pauli, G. F., & Walters, M. A. (2017). The Essential Medicinal Chemistry of Curcumin. Journal of medicinal chemistry, 60(5), 1620–1637. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00975