Lifestyle Changes
A few simple changes to your lifestyle can help shingles heal more quickly, be less uncomfortable, or even help prevent their appearance altogether in those prone to shingles outbreaks.
Most importantly, keep the infected area clean to prevent secondary bacterial infections and promote healing. Expose the open blisters to the air as much as possible, keeping them uncovered by clothing and bandages. If you simply can’t keep your clothes or sheets from sticking to the sores, a light wrap with a sports bandage or similar item may be better than peeling off ooze-covered cloth. Wash your hands, clothes, bedding, and towels frequently to control spreading or recontracting the virus as much as possible.
To keep your immune system healthy, get plenty of rest, especially in the midst of a shingles outbreak, so your body can focus on fighting the virus, rather than funneling what energy it has into basic functioning. Keeping stress under control, particularly while blisters and pain are evident, will also help keep both body and mind healthier to fight off infection.
Make sure to eat a healthy diet. Some sources recommend supplementing your diet with plenty of garlic, suggesting the herb might have some healing capabilities concerning shingles. Other natural remedy sources recommend slight adjustments in diet during outbreaks, reporting that the family of viruses of which Varicella-zoster is a member are sensitive to the ratio of lysine and arginine in your system. Eat plenty of foods with lysine, and a minimal amount of those high in arginine. Lysine is found in dairy products, most meats, and several fruits and vegetables—particularly apples, pears, pineapples, green beans, and avocados. Foods to cut out in order to avoid excessive arginine intake include nuts and seeds, tomatoes, berries, chocolate and other sugars, as well as wheat germ and brussel sprouts.
Unfortunately, no matter what you do there is no way to magically cure your case of shingles. It is a virus, which means the best you can do is try to heal a little faster and stay a little more comfortable while you’re dealing with the symptoms. Some patients have found a lot of success by visiting a chiropractor during shingles outbreaks, rather than a family doctor. However, although there may not be much your doctor can do, in the end it may be better to schedule an appointment—especially if symptoms persist, worsen, or continually recur.
Did you know...
- Starting to feel claustrophobic? The smells of apples may help keep your claustrophobic feelings at bay according to a 1995 study by Dr. Alan Hirsch. Green apples, specifically, helped people change their perception of their space. Maybe they thought of expansive apple orchards? Cucumbers and barbecue made the feelings worse.
- Does your job make you stressed? We all know that stress is psychologically bad for you, but it also has an effect on…your allergies? A Harvard Medical School study has shown that stress causes your allergies to become worse because your body's defense response loses efficacy when repeatedly triggered by stress. Then, when you really need to physically fight something off, you're less able to!
- There are many factors that contribute to your body odor, but one of the strongest links is our diet. This may be some bad news for meat-lovers because many studies have shown that those who refrained from or ate less red meat were judged as being more pleasant smelling. The meat sweats are real, and they don’t smell great!
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.
- Are you currently or often tired? As contradictory as it may sound, one of the best things you can do is exercise! It gives you more energy by improving your blood flow and increasing your oxygen throughout your body. You don't need to do much; a brisk walk is all it takes!