Shingles Treatment - Different Types of Treatment for Shingles

Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a disease that is derived from the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that gives you chickenpox. It is a very painful condition that is characterized by a red rash that morphs into fluid filled blisters that break open, crust over, then heals often leaving an unsightly scar.

Some cases don't require treatment, but for those that do, there are treatments available to reduce symptoms and the pain associated with it.

How is shingles treated?

Treatment for herpes zoster can involve several modalities to decrease symptoms and pain to include anti-viral medications such as Acyclovir (Zovirax), Valacyclovir (Valtrex), and Famciclovir (Famvir). Antiviral drugs act to to inhibit life cycle of the virus by:

• Preventing the release of the proteins contained in the virus, thus prohibiting uncoating.


• Stopping virus replication


• Boosting the immune system by stimulating the production of antibodies.

Herbal Remedies:

There are natural herbs that can inhibit a virus's ability to replicate and cause intensity of an illness. they act by giving strength to the immune system, resulting in a stronger defense against a viral attack on the body. Current research indicates arabinoxylan, a compound derived from Hyphomycetes mycelia mushroom, has antiviral properties. Echinacea purpura shows action against viruses such as the common cold.

Other herbal preparations that support the immune system include astragalus, garlic, Siberian ginseng, coenzyme Q10, DMG (dimethlyglycine), cat's claw , cloves, elderberry, ginger, lemon balm, licorice, olive leaf, oregano, shiitake and reishi mushrooms, St. John's wort, resveratrol, N-acetyl-cysteine, scullcap, green tea, cranberry, propolis and mullein. These herbal remedies can be effective against the common cold, as well as hepatitis and pneumonia.

Pain Medications:

• Nerve Blocks: Are local anesthetics injections into the nerves.


• NSAIDS that fight pain, inflammation, and fever.


• Opioids such as oxycodone, morphine, methadone


• Anticonvulsants such as gabapentin (Neurontin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol) to help relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia.

Postherpetic Neuralgia: This is pain that lasts for more than a month after the blisters have cleared up. PHN is a painful condition that affects the nerve fibers and skin, and is a complication of shingles. It is second outbreak of the virus varicella zoster, which is responsible for causing chickenpox, as well as shingles.

Drug free treatments:

• Rehabilitation


• Psychological therapy such as relaxation and biofeedback.


• Trancutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units that deliver small electrical currents to the skin via electrodes.


• A surgically implanted pain pump that delivers medication to the spinal fluid.

Other treatments include topical creams such as Cortisone and Calamine lotion.

Remedies from home:

Mixing aspirin into a cream or nonprescription-strength lidocaine cream can decrease sensitive skin areas, but don't apply a cream containing lidocaine to the face. Talk with your health care professional who can advise you on other topical creams for treatment to ease the symptoms of shingles.

The bottom leaves of the aloe vera plant where most of it's soothing medication is located can also be applied to the skin for relief of symptoms.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT