Shingles treatment
Prevent, alleviate, or heal disease—naturally.
Meet our practitioners who specialize in natural Shingles treatment
Recommended health tests for Shingles
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
At-Home Lab Test
Collect your sample and do your consultations at home, on you own time, and receive your secure result in just days on any device
How it works
Consult with our health coaches who will learn about your symptoms, habits, and goals.
Take personalized home health tests to discover potential root causes of any symptoms or conditions you may have.
Review your results in just days with our functional medicine doctors, nurses, and dietitians who will help you achieve optimal health.
Learn about Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in nerve tissue. Years later, it can reactivate as shingles. Although shingles can occur anywhere on the body, it most often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of the torso. The prevalence of shingles increases with age, particularly in individuals over 50 years old, and it affects millions worldwide each year.
Causes
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Factors that may trigger this reactivation include stress, a weakened immune system due to age or illness, certain medications, and injury to the skin where the virus is latent. It's not entirely clear why the virus reactivates in some people and not others.
Signs and symptoms
- Pain, burning, numbness, or tingling sensation on one side of the body - A red rash that appears a few days after the pain - Blisters filled with fluid that break open and then crust over - Itching - Fever and chills - Headache - Fatigue - Sensitivity to light
Diagnosing Shingles
Diagnosing shingles typically involves a physical examination of the rash and a review of symptoms. In some cases, a doctor may collect a tissue sample from the blisters for laboratory testing to confirm the presence of the varicella-zoster virus. Given its distinctive appearance and symptoms, shingles can often be diagnosed based on a clinical evaluation alone.
Prevention and natural treatment
Prevention of shingles is best achieved through vaccination. The CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for people aged 50 and older, even if they've had shingles before, to prevent future occurrences. Treatment focuses on reducing symptom severity and shortening the duration of the illness. Traditional medicine may include antiviral medications, pain relievers, and corticosteroids. However, from a functional medicine perspective, natural treatments aim to boost the immune system and manage pain without relying solely on pharmaceuticals. Functional medicine approaches to treating shingles include: - Dietary adjustments: Incorporating foods high in B-vitamins, vitamin C, and amino acids can help strengthen the immune system. Avoiding inflammatory foods, such as those high in sugar and saturated fats, can also support healing. - Supplements: Lysine, an amino acid, has been shown to inhibit the herpes virus. Other beneficial supplements include vitamin C, vitamin B12, and zinc to enhance immune function. - Stress reduction: Stress can weaken the immune system and trigger shingles outbreaks. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can be effective stress management tools. - Topical treatments: Applying cool, wet compresses to the blisters can reduce pain and itching. Essential oils like peppermint and geranium can provide symptomatic relief when diluted and applied to the skin, but they should be used with caution and never on open blisters. In managing shingles, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, especially if considering natural or alternative remedies. Balancing traditional medical advice with functional medicine approaches can offer a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this painful condition.
Browse popular locations
Atlanta, GA- Houston, TX
- Chicago, IL
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Austin, TX
- Dallas, TX
- New York, NY
- Seattle, WA
- Charlotte, NC
- Denver, CO
- Maryland, NY
Connect with an expert for Shingles
