Cold Compresses
If you don’t have a bathtub or simply don’t have the time to soak, you can make a cold compress that’s easier to apply throughout the day. There are several different methods for creating compresses that shingles patients often find helpful. The easiest is to simply soak a towel in cold water and lay it on the affected area. The coolness should provide some relief. An ice pack is another good, simple option for shingles relief as well—and may actually numb the area a little bit. Make sure to wash towels between uses to prevent spreading the virus. Black tea bags can be placed directly on the site; the tannins contained in tea leaves have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Leave them on the infected area for about five minutes. This may be an effective preventative measure, too, if you are prone to shingles outbreaks.
Other types of compresses can be made from a variety of simple ingredients. A towel or washcloth soaked in a 1:4 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water may also help alleviate shingles. Baking soda and water can be mixed to create a compress of sorts. Boil two tablespoons of turmeric powder with three cups of water, and apply the resulting paste—it may stain clothes so use caution. Aluminum acetate solutions (like Domeboro) can be found over the counter; this too can dry out shingles wounds and help prevent oozing, itching, and discomfort. Again, try any new ingredient on a small area of your skin to check the reaction before applying on a large area.
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.
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Just saying the words "thank you" can measurably improve your mood. Researchers can actually measure happiness and changes in brain structure when people practiced regular "grateful thinking." This included things like writing thank you notes, writing gratitude journal entries, mindfully counting their blessings, and thanking friends. It may be helpful in overcoming depression!
- Do you know what the strongest muscle in your body is? No, it’s not your biceps or your thighs. It’s actually in your head. The masseter is a muscle in the jaw that is used when chewing. When all of the muscles of the jaw work together, they can exert a force as strong as 200 pounds on the molars. That’s some serious pressure.
- 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!