Aloe vera’s ability to treat skin disorders is well documented and researched. Many skin care, cosmetic, and healing products contain Aloe as a main ingredient.
But, did you know that many who are afflicted by shingles, an extremely painful rash of blisters on the skin, have used Aloe vera gel to soothe the condition?
What is shingles?
Shingles is caused by the Varizella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. VZV lies dormant along the nerve tissues of the spine and brain, until it comes to life (probably by stress and/or a weakened immune system), then springs to life causing severe itching and pain.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimates there are a million cases of shingles in the USA each year. More than half of those outbreaks occur in people over 60 years of age, but children can also develop shingles.
The CDC says that one in three people will develop shingles at some point in life.
Symptoms of shingles
Shingles normally presents as a rash along one side of the body. The rash follows the route of the nerve infected by the VZV. Those who have ever experienced a fever blister (Herpes simplex) may be familiar with the impending signs of an outbreak—tingling and pain at the site—although the Herpes and Varizella viruses are not the same, the signs are similar.
Here is a typical scenario for a shingles outbreak:
- You feel unwell, tired, and have a headache. You may also run a fever and have experience stomach discomfort.
- A portion of your skin (usually the side of the face or the trunk) feels tingly or sore. The pain becomes worse when the skin is touched.
- After a day or so, a painful rash of small blisters appears at the site. Within a few days, the blisters may break or ooze.
- After 2-4 weeks the tiny blisters crust over and heal up. Sometimes they leave a scar or change the color of your skin.
Who is at risk for shingles?
In order to develop shingles, you must first be infected with VZV. The virus gains access to your body by direct contact. For instance, an infected person may cough the virus into the air you breathe, or you may touch a surface they have touched.
Those most at risk include people over the age of 60, people with weakened immune systems (such as patients with HIV/AIDS), those who are undergoing cancer treatments (such as radiation and chemotherapy), anyone who has experienced prolonged use of steroids (such as prednisone), those who have taken drugs designed to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, and individuals who have taken medicines to reduce the effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
Are there alternative treatments for shingles?
The most popular treatment for shingles consists of prescription antiviral drugs. For those who either can’t afford the cost of pharmaceuticals, or who wish to apply natural treatments, we recommend using Aloe vera gel. You can fillet the Aloe leaves yourself, or you can get our 100% pure inner leaf gel, taken from the powerful Aloe barbadensis miller-stockton variety.
To lower your chances of getting long-lasting pain after a shingles outbreak, treat the condition quickly with pure Aloe gel, or use Youth-Derm Ultra Healing Aloe Cream topically to soothe pain and itching. You may also drink 100% pure raw Aloe vera gel as an immune system booster. Aloe vera contains acemannan, an antiviral that also raises tumor necrosis factor.
How to use Stockton Aloe #1® to help soothe outbreaks of shingles
You should apply the Aloe gel topically to the infected area every hour or so, rubbing in a circular motion. Within about five days, you may notice the shingles start to turn brownish, signaling the inflammation is ending. Within a week and a half or so, the blisters should start to come off. Do not attempt to remove the scabs prior to their natural shedding. Using the Ultra Healing Aloe Cream or pure gel may be of significant help in preventing scarring.
While Aloe vera has long been used as a natural herbal remedy for a host of skin and internal ailments, you should consult your doctor to establish a diagnosis of shingles. Whether to pursue treatment by the use of pharmaceutical drugs, or by natural and naturopathic means, is up to you.
Whichever route you choose, be sure to seek the counsel of a wise and trusted physician.
THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT DISEASERelated posts:
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