I have been diagnosed with shingles. I have had it for four weeks. Most of the rash has gone away, but I still have sensitivity in areas, and parts are quite itchy. Is there anything I can use to soothe the itch? I am using vitamin E oil and aloe vera gel intermittently.

A.

You are on the right track. Both vitamin E and aloe vera have been used to help with the pain caused from shingles. If you are getting relief with these, I would continue. You may also want to take some vitamin E internally as well.

For relief of the itching, there are a number of other things to try. Drs. Agatha and Calvin Thrash report in their book, More Natural Remedies, that a mixture of half lemon juice and half water applied to the affected areas is especially helpful for the itching accompanying shingles. They also suggest calamine lotion or vinegar water (1 tablespoon to 1 pint water) or epsom salt or oatmeal baths. Calamine lotion and oatmeal baths are very soothing for the itch of chicken pox, the same virus that causes shingles.

Chamomile cream or licorice gel are good for soothing any kind of itchy skin problem. Lemon balm cream is helpful for herpes simplex lesions and may also be of benefit for herpes zoster (shingles). Capsaicin cream is frequently used for the persistent pain after the shingles have healed and might be helpful to relieve itching as well.

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