The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Scott (La Quinta, Ca) on 08/17/2012
★★★★★
I used aloe vera gel, cayenne and oatmeal flour I ground up in my vita-mix to make a paste. Worked like a charm- place aloe vera gel in a bowl sprinkle to cover with cayenne, mix then sprinkle to cover with oatmeal and mix again. Clean site with Apple Cider Vinegar and apply it every 6 hrs.
Ice
Posted by Renee (Pensecola, Florida) on 02/21/2012
★★★★★
I have read many of these replies of all treatments you have tried, I have suffered for 3 CONSTANT years now with the shingles on both sides of the body, face, arms and other places. I have found to help stop immediate itch and severe pain till anything you have taken orally can work place ICE on the blisters, red bumps, or just when the itch starts this will calm it and feels great! Ice for 20 minutes at every hour soothes the nerves.
Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Jo (Southampton, Hampshire, Uk) on 01/31/2012
★★★★★
Last night my whole leg was covered in painful red rash and blisters. I was at my wits end until I discovered this site. After purchasing aloe vera gel today and liberally applying it with eucalyptus oil I simply cannot believe the difference. The blisters have dried, the redness has significantly decreased and the pain has all but gone. I did try the ACV but found that it stung a lot and irritated the blisters. I did take it internally though. Last night I was writhing in pain unable to speak, today the pain is manageable and significantly better.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Bernadette (Albuquerque, New Mexico) on 10/01/2011
For at least the next six - eight weeks, ELIMINATE SUGAR from your diet. When I had shingles a few years ago, getting off sugar helped because shingles seem to thrive on sugar.
Take supplements to strengthen your immune system. As your body strengthens, the pain will get less and usually the lesions will go away within 6 months or so.
HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER... THIS IS A MISERABLE CONDITION!! :-)
Herpetic Neuralgia Remedies
Posted by Tessa (Nyc) on 03/05/2015
I contracted herpes in my 30s about 18 years ago and have suffered from postherpetic neuralgia ever since. I found that meds - such a Lyrica or gabapentin - are a nightmare (the horrific side effects outweigh any benefits). I have reduced my pain (arms and legs), which was once severely acute and constant, to either nonexistent or occasional and mild simply by doing the following:
(1) I avoid foods that are high in arginine (nuts, seeds, chocolate, especially), which can lead to excruciating bouts for me. Dairy is helpful (high in lisine). I remain aware of lisine versus arginine ratios in my diet, tipping the scale toward more lisine. I eat lots of vegetables, leafy greens, and some meat (lamb is high in lisine) -I keep it organic/free range.
(2) The real miracle cure for me: I take spirulina every morning (1000 mg).
(3) I do as much yoga as I can (yin yoga is especially great during bouts - something about stretching and breathing). I get acupuncture (but never during a bout because that will make it more acute).
(4) Try not to get too stressed out. Avoid an abundance of sun. Avoid getting overtired or overexerted (e.g., pushing myself beyond an athletic limit - as in running too long).
It's taken me a long time to figure it all out, so I wanted to pass it along. :)
Acupuncture
Posted by sarah (New zealand ) on 05/04/2024
Get a heavy metal detox spray for your grandson. You can use a product from masterpeace too which is available in the States.
Baking Powder Paste
Posted by Victor (Edmonton, Alberta Canada) on 08/05/2011
★★★★★
after reading through alot of posts on this website I tried the ACV and CP rub and it did help but after doing more research and trials I found that baking powder helped the most. Found in "1801 home remedies" take baking powder and mix with enough water to make a paste. Apply paste to affected area and let dry. Helps dry the blisters and with itch. Found it works better then ACV because it's a paste that stays effective for longer then the liquid ACV. Orally I tried ACV with CP, lysine, echinacea but found the best oral remedy to be "cat's claw". It's a natural viral treatment. Taking them all won't hurt either seeing as they are all natural.
Turmeric
Posted by Nypie (New York, Ny) on 05/21/2011
★★★★☆
Hi all,
Last week I came down with a rash and then a few days later a cluster of blisters near my lip that looked horrible. I assumed they were the worst case of a cold sore I had ever had and proceeded to use whatever had worked in the past. To my horror nothing worked and I stayed inside my home for days feeling depressed about it while applying cold sore ointments and more. While thinking about it I thought it odd I also had a rash around the bumps which had never happened before so I started googling. So I came to the conclusion I had Shingles-hurrah! ... ? Knowing I had turmeric in the medicine cabinet and knowing it's supposed uses for skin ailments I decided to give it a try. I just pour a bit in my palm, add a bit of water and then apply it to the affected area. It is working! It is obviously healing and looking much better. I'd also advise tea tree oil & vitamins through diet & supplements.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Lysine
Posted by Mary (Arcadia, Ca) on 12/05/2017
Yes, you can use ACV in your eyes but you have to dilute it too. 3 drops ACV to 10 drops water. It will sting a little but well worth it. Dilute it to the best way that suits you.
blessings,
Mary
Homeopathy
Posted by Marina (Miami) on 08/16/2023
★★★★★
I want to add, I should have started with Arsenicum album 30c, not 200ck, or reduced the number of pellets from 5 to maybe 2-3. Even though I feel like half dead, the stubborn rash is 90% gone. Will see if it comes back. It probably will for I have some underlying issues. This is what I was taking along with Arsenicum album (for 2 days): L-Lysine-500mgx4, zinc-15mgx1, ascorbic acid -1gx2-4 times/day, Lauricidin- only 3pelletsx3 and LDN 1mg. I was drinking a baking soda solution 2-3 times a day. Took 1-2 drops under the tongue -0.5% Methylene Blue solution for 2 days once a day. Except Arsenicum album I was taking other supplements for at least 10 days.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Quercus (La, Ca) on 01/22/2014
I would add be sure what you have is Shingles and not dermatitis herpetiformis. After suffering for several years with what had been diagnosed as Shingles, I found I have a gluten sensitivity/celiac disease.
Gluten sensitivity/celiac disease causes a rash that is often misdiagnosed as Shingles. I read an article by a dermatologist where he found that over 50% of the people he saw complaining from Shingles, had a gluten rash instead. If you keep getting "Shingles" and nothing seems to help, stop eating grains with gluten in them. Wheat, Barley and Rye all have the offending gluten.
I was continually getting"Shingles". Sometimes they would just start healing and then I would get them in another area. I tried everything possible. Lysine, vitamin C, laying off chocolate and nuts, ACV VCO, Aloe, etc. I couldn't sleep, was itching and scratching all of the time. They were painful red and scaring.
I read the article and decided what the heck, I will try eliminating gluten and see what happens. Within 2-3 days the itching had almost totally disappeared. Within 5 days all of the blisters were healing, nearly half were gone. The best part was I didn't get any new ones.
Now I watch everything I eat. Even then it is hard not to get a cross contaminated food item. The food industry puts wheat in everything. Just a little bit causes me to breakout. The good part is that I now can enjoy chocolate and nuts.
Gluten problems according to several experts could affect nearly 70% of the US. Try avoiding gluten for a couple of weeks and see. It may change your life.
Antifungal Cream for Ringworm
Posted by Kelly (San Antonio, TX) on 01/02/2009
★★★★★
Every year, once or twice a year, I get an outbreak of shingles on my right cheek. I know I am getting it due to pain on the left side of my face accompinied by a tingling sensation on my nose. When I feel this, I immediately start taking acyclovoir (SP) and wash the area with regular ol' rubbing alcohol, applied by a cotton ball. Then while the area is still wet, I apply Goldbond medicated powder and let it dry. It seems to help with the pain and itching. If blisters form, they immediately start to dry up. Try this, it might work for you.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Wendy (La Ceiba, Honduras) on 12/18/2008
★★★★★
I read with great interest all the remedies posted for shingles. Researching a bit on my own, I came up with this concoction which has reduced itching and pain as well as sped up healing.
In a very small container place One teaspoon of coconut oil, squeezing a gel cap of Vit E oil into it...add a teaspoon of Neem oil, 2 drops of grapefruit seed extract, 2 drops of oregano oil, 4 drops of sandalwood oil, a teaspoon of fresh aloe gel and a 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric.
mix this all up and dab it on the blisters. i lightly placed a tissue over this as the turmeric will stain clothing so wear something old.
I have eliminated coffee, alcohol, nuts, seeds and have upped my intake of papaya and sardines (high in lysine).
Internally, I am taking 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract and 2 drops of oregano oil mixed with water in a shot glass, followed by a large glass or pure water every hour. This mixture does not taste good, but has very strong anti viral properties and ANYTHING is better than the pain from shingles. DO NOT take more than 2 drops of oregano....this is powerful stuff. ALWAYS mix it with water.
I am on day 5 now. i started using this protocol on day 3. The first angry patch has scabbed over and and looks much much better and the other patches have not developed blisters .....so I am hopeful for a brief experience.
Many of these ingredients are part of the Indian healing system called Ayurveda. I just added everything I researched into one method. Hope this helps you.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Janet (In) on 08/05/2017
Lou Great article. How to take BHT has always perplexed me. Oscar and Ted talk about it. I tried it a few years ago. I did not do well getting up to take it in the night. This has 2 ways. Very clear and straightforward. Thank you. Janet
Folic Acid, Lysine, Vitamin C
Posted by Debbie (Syracuse, Ny) on 10/02/2015
★★★★★
I used a supplements too, and it has pretty much eliminated my shingles rash. 2000 mg daily of lysine for 3 days, then 500 mg in the a.m. and p.m. daily, Liposomal vitamin C 2000 mg ever 2 hours for the first 2 weeks, natural vitamin E 400 mg 2x daily, B-12 twice daily, moducare 2 caps three x daily for 1 week, then one capsule twice daily, vitamin D 5000 mg daily. I used bentonite clay on the blisters and they had drained in 2 days, then started using Emuaid max salve 2 x daily to heal the rash. They are looking real good, but still have to take pain meds for the underlying pain. I hope this pain goes away soon.
L-Lysine
Posted by Mark (Las Vegas) on 07/04/2015
Lysine can cause liver toxicity if taken too much. Read up on it.
Turmeric
Posted by Lisa (CA) on 01/02/2025 36 posts
★★★★★
A few years ago I had a dental implant, and it caused shingles for the first time. It was a Friday afternoon and my doc had left the office. His nurse asked me what anti inflammatories I had at home and I replied Turmeric. She told me to load up so I took 2Kmg every hours for 3 hours. When I had finished I notice the terrible pain on my scalp subside and by the next morning, the pain was gone. On Monday I saw the doc and he only found one small blister that was almost healed. Now I am using turmeric for sciatica and it's wonderful. My pain is almost gone along with my foot arthritis, toes fungus. Great stuff.
L-Lysine
Posted by Charles (MN) on 04/12/2021
★★★★★
to aurora in mason city:
lysine for shingles (it's a herpes virus) 3000 mg a day 1000 morning, 1000 noon 1000 night. for 3 days. 500 mg. every day for the next week..
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Shadel (Nebraska) on 04/06/2021
★☆☆☆☆
Having shingles pain for approximately 3 months, I am at a loss what to take/apply for this problem. I experience pain at night which disturbs my sleep tremendously. I have used vinegar, cooling gel, colloidal silver, oregano oil, coconut oil. Also goldenseal paste. Thank your for suggestions.
Wild Green Oats
Posted by Don Z. (Malibu, CA) on 05/30/2019
★★★★★
Just heard from someone who had a very bad case of shingles that got cleared up really really fast with no return by WILD GREEN OATS - Avena Sativa. I wanted to memorialize this for people in need.
Coconut Oil, Carrots
Posted by Katzie (Alberta) on 04/11/2018
Thank heavens that getting shingles a 3rd time is unheard of! You should be in the clear now. For everyone else, DMSO or ACV are VERY effective and quick on the lesions. Best of Health everybody!
Vitamin C
Posted by Alexander (Louisiana) on 12/22/2017
★★★★★
I know I am responding to a very old post, but I had to add what helped me and my shingles problem. My shingles outbreaks were continously, in the same place. As soon as one outbreak would heal, another would break out. Then I started taking Vitamin C to bowel tolerance and have never had another shingles outbreak in years. Not to mention my overall health has also improved. It's worth a try.
Calamine Lotion
Posted by Michelle (Va) on 10/04/2015
★★★★☆
It is also nonsense to think you have to be 60+ to get shingles.. I'm in my 40s, and am suffering shingles in my neck and shoulder. The ER didnt think I was old enough for it and gave me a steroid for pain.. needless to say that onset the rash quicker/stronger.. Calamine lotion dried up the rash in 2-3 days but the pain is still terrible.
Calamine Lotion
Posted by Kayla (Md) on 04/27/2018
I'm 25, and this current outbreak of Shingles is my 6th (yes, SIXTH) outbreak in the last YEAR.
Yet I can't get the Shingles Vaccine. I have a 3 year old and a newborn that can both easily get Chicken Pox from me now. But nope, can't get the vaccine, I'm not 50 yet. Only 25 more years of this before I can get some long-term relief without taking pills every single day. I am so sick of getting Shingles!!!
Calamine Lotion
Posted by Gary (Kitchener On) on 02/02/2023
Hi Beverly
I know that the #1 skin care is Hemp Oil.. It works.
Best wishes
Gary
Calamine Lotion
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 02/02/2023
Thanks.............I had my husband spray his jock itch antifungal on it after my shower.......makes me laugh even saying it.......the pain is very mild compared to last night..... I think I do have some hemp oil.
Monolaurin, Vitamin C
Posted by Donna (Phoenix, Az) on 02/04/2017
What are creepy crawlers, whatever it was that followed your shingles?
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Doreen (Austin, Manitoba Canada) on 01/28/2018
★★★☆☆
Hi, I have shingles, thought I had arthritis, after a week of pain, then small rash on my shoulder, decided to go to doctor. He prescribed Valacyclovir 500mg. 2 three times a day. Sooo painful, I decided to go on earth clinic, tried the cayenne missed with water put on sores, seemed to help, but I am not getting results like everyone else, what am I doing wrong. Help Doreen
Magnets
Posted by Aj (Florida, Usa) on 01/21/2015
I would tape with scotch tape to my shirt the magnet and leave it there all day and night. The magnets help improve the blood flow and speed up the healing time.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Michelle (Los Angeles, California) on 09/29/2014
★★★★★
My 3 prong approach to treatment of shingles:
I have never had shingles before but I had chicken pox when I was 2 years of age and I am now 51 years old in good health. On Sunday night I felt my upper back was itching so I scatched it as well as my upper chest. That morning I woke up to red blisters and scratch marks on my back, shoulder, and chest. I went to the dermatologist and she diagnosed with contact dermatitis and gave me steroids by mouth and a topical steroid ointment. I used that and my lesions spread and got worse. So I went to another doctor 2 days later and he diagnosed me with shingles.
Although I was now 96 hours out of first lesions he prescribed me Valtrex and Keflex for the lesions also looked like they had a superinfection of bacteria in addition to the shingles. I also was told to take benadryl for the itching which I took for a day then stopped after I started my 3 prong approach.
I went home and researched shingles and decided to create my own treatment plan that combined western medicine and homeopathic remedies for my lesions were red, irritated, itchy, and spreading.
I have been using this 3 prong plan for my shingles the past 48 hours and I no longer have pain or itching. Also the newer lesions are gone and the older lesions particularly the ones I initially scratched are healing. My plan is definitely improving the shingles.
1. TREAT INTERNALLY: I am taking the Valtrex as prescibed as well as finishing my course of antibiotics. In addition I am drinking Apple Cider Vinegar 2 tablespoons per 8 ounces of water three times a day. I am taking 1000 mg Lysine three times a day.
2. TREAT EXTERNALLY: I soak a gauze pad with full strength Apple Cider Vinegar and place it directly on my lesions for 30 minutes three times a day. The Apple Cider Vinegar dries the lesions up and has gotten rid of the itching and pain. At night I place Virgin Organic Coconut Oil on the lesions and leave them exposed to air. Coconut oil totally soothes my skin and is helping with healing. It has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.
3. LEAVE LESIONS ALONE: I keep clothing off of the lesions as much as possible (my lesions are on my neck, upper back, shoulder, and upper chest) so I wear a tube top to cover my breasts at home and when at work a lose top. I stopped the steroids all together for I felt the steroids by mouth were feeding the virus and the topical steroids were totally irritating my skin making it more red and burned.
With this treatment plan I feel energized with minimal pain and itching and my lesions are healing quickly.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by DarlaDaisy (Suffolk, VA) on 03/18/2023
My husband has been taking the gut health bundle from Thorne only for a few days and It appears he broke out in the shingles. There must absolutely be a gut connection. The bundle includes Bacilus Coagulans, fiber, prebiotics and glutamine to heal your gut but I really think it provoked the shingles.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Marcie (Wv) on 07/22/2016
My dad has shingles and the doctor said LUKE WARM water for a bath, not Hot. He had the shot and they are extreme. This is from a doctor. So I'm not to sure about Hot Baths! I know. They are AWFUL. He is 78 and they are HORRIBLE
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Mr. Ree (Usa) on 06/24/2014
Licorice extract by Natures Answer...Put in on three times a day all over the infected area. It will be gone in 3 days...If you get it the first day it appears, it will dissappear the same day...Cheap fix for $8.95
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Timh (KY) on 06/25/2014 2042 posts
Laurie: Alpha Lipoic Acid or Thioctic Acid would very likely help as a nerve protector as well as heavy metal chelator (many vaccines contain small amounts of mercury which is very toxic to nerves). The compound BHT, the herb St Johnswort is anti-viral.
Chronic or recurring Shingles is a definite sign of immune dysfunction or sometimes cancer. Definitely do some detox remedies found here on E.C. Immune boosting remedies fallowing detox will be necessary. Purify your air & water. Alkalizing remedies will likely be necessary as acidosis is both the result of many conditions as well as further aggravating any condition.
Try and get some basic cancer screenings for safety sake.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kmac (Chicora Pa) on 11/01/2018
I have heard that California poppy helps calm those nerves.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 11/02/2018
Clove Oil
Posted by Rebel (Somewhere Usa) on 05/14/2014
★★★★★
Since shingles virus live in the spine, if I had shingles I would rub from the base of my skull to my lower back down the spine, with a few drops of clove oil. I do not know if this will help or not. But I have in the past had very bad pains in my spine and in my throat and rubbed both places with clove oil and it went away very over night. If I had sensitive skin, I would maybe dilute the clove oil. I don't have sensitive skin so I use full strength.
I believe somewhere on here Ted speaks of spinal virus and clove oil.
