Shingles
Category: Ailment

The word “shingles” comes from the Latin root word cingulum”, meaning belt or girdle. Shingles is the common term for herpes zoster. A painful infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. (This virus is called varicela zoster.)

The virus from the old chicken pox infection stays in the body for many years. Because the body’s immune system has managed to overcome the virus, the virus remains dormant and inactive. The body’s immune cells keep the virus under control.

When our immune system is weakened, the body’s immune cells are no longer able to keep the virus under control. When this happens, the virus travels down the nerve fibers from their roots near the spine and reproduces/multiplies. This will affect the skin on top of the nerves as they move along. There is usually a clear and defined location in the part of the body where the virus has traveled. Thus, the virus leaves a path of pain and sometimes a rash.

Approximately one out of every ten people who have had chicken pox will develop shingles in their old age. This happens after the 60th year, however anyone who has had chicken pox can technically develop shingles at any age. It is more common in older people because as we age, our immune system weakens.

Shingles usually starts with a tingling sensation on a certain section of the skin. The sensation can range from itchiness or numbness to severe pain. A week later, a rash may appear. This rash looks like the chicken pox rash – raised red dots that eventually become blisters. The difference is that it only appears on one side of a certain section of the body, like a band or belt, called a dermatome. Common areas for shingles to appear are on one side of the chest (front or back), one side of the forehead and scalp. Facial shingles are dangerous because the virus may go on to affect the nerves of the eyes and ears (severe cases may cause blindness and deafness).

When the rash is at its peak, the pain may be very severe. But within 2 weeks, the blisters will crust and dry out. Generally, a shingles attack lasts for a month.

Shingles is the reactivation of the chicken pox virus and is not contagious per se. That means a person who has shingles cannot pass on shingles to you. However, they can give you chicken pox (if you have not had chicken pox before).

Treatment of shingles is usually with antiviral medication (eg. acyclovir or famciclovir), taken for a course of 7 to 10 days. Pain relievers and inflammation suppressants are also prescribed. If treatment can begin early (within the first 2 or 3 days of developing the rash), the severity of the symptoms can be reduced.

Supplementation
Vitamin A - promotes healing and boosts the immune system. Vitamin A should be taken preferably in the beta-carotene form. As high as 25,000 IUs two times a day.

Vitamin B complex - speeds recovery and helps to prevent pain. Up to 50 mg three times daily.

Vitamin C - to support and boost the immune system. Up to 250 mg four times a day.

Vitamin E - prevents scarring, aids in the healing process, reduces pain. Vitamin E also helps in strengthening the immune system, and helps in preventing nerve damage. 400 IU to 800 IU daily. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin. Best taken with food which has some fat content for better absorption.

Vitamins A, B, and C are water soluble vitamins. The body will only absorb what it needs for that time, and excess is passed out in the urine. So it is better to divide the dosage throughout the day.