6 Natural Treatments for Shingles

Shingles is an unpleasant viral ailment triggered by the same virus responsible for chickenpox. While there’s no definitive cure, a number of natural approaches can help alleviate symptoms.

If you had chickenpox earlier in life, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in your system. It can reactivate later and produce a shingles rash. This painful eruption can appear on virtually any area of the body.

Pain is often the initial sign of shingles. A rash with fluid-filled blisters typically emerges within a couple of days after the pain starts. Some individuals also experience fever, light sensitivity, and exhaustion.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , roughly one in three people in the United States will develop shingles at some point in their lives.

Symptoms of a shingles episode (reactivation) can continue for 2 to 6 weeks.

Although shingles is not usually fatal, some people develop postherpetic neuralgia. This condition occurs when nerve fibers are damaged, producing persistent shingles pain for weeks or months after the rash has resolved.

There isn’t a cure for shingles, but physicians can prescribe antiviral drugs to shorten the illness and lessen symptoms. Several natural remedies may also reduce pain and discomfort.

This article outlines six natural approaches that can help soothe shingles symptoms.

1. Soothing baths

Cleaning your shingles blisters daily can lower the chance of spreading the infection. A cool bath or shower may also calm your skin and reduce itching.

You can take a therapeutic bath to relieve symptoms. Add 1 to 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal or cornstarch to lukewarm bathwater and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

Avoid hot water. Heat can aggravate shingles blisters because it increases blood flow.

Pat your skin dry gently and wash your towel afterward to prevent passing the virus to others.

2. Cool, wet compresses

Alongside baths to reduce pain and itch from a shingles rash, applying a cool, damp compress can also help.

Soak a cloth in cool water, wring it out, and place it over the rash and blisters. You can use a cool compress several times a day to ease symptoms.

The cooling effect helps lower pain. Do not apply ice directly to the rash, as extreme cold can heighten skin sensitivity and worsen discomfort.

3. Baking soda or cornstarch paste

To calm itching from a shingles rash, make a simple paste from cornstarch or baking soda.

Measure two parts cornstarch or baking soda into a cup and add one part water until you reach a paste-like consistency. Spread the mixture on the rash and rinse off after 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat multiple times per day as needed.

4. Soothing creams and lotions

Scratching a shingles rash can lead to scarring and prolong the life of blisters. If itching persists after a bath or a baking soda paste, consider using gentle lotions or creams.

While lotions and creams won’t speed up recovery, they can make you more comfortable. Steer clear of scented or perfumed products because they may irritate the skin further.

Use topical products sparingly. Heavy application can keep lesions from drying and extend the healing process. For the same reason, avoid antibiotic ointments on the sores.

If you choose creams, look for ones containing capsaicin. Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease pain. You may notice increased discomfort right after first applying it, but the pain typically diminishes gradually.

Capsaicin works by lowering pain signals sent to the brain. Apply lightly three to four times daily if using this cream.

Additionally, applying calamine lotion after bathing can soothe irritated skin and help dry out blisters.

5. Dietary measures

A weakened immune system makes recovery from shingles more difficult. Certain dietary adjustments can support immune function and help prevent the virus from spreading to other areas.

You can bolster your immune system by choosing specific foods and avoiding others.

A diet supportive of shingles recovery includes foods rich in vitamins A, B12, C, and E, plus the amino acid lysine. Foods that help healing include:

• orange and yellow fruits
• leafy green vegetables
• red meat
• eggs
• chicken
• wild-caught fish
• dairy
• whole grains
• legumes
• beans
• tomatoes
• spinach

When coping with shingles, you may crave comfort foods, but certain items should be limited or avoided. Foods to skip include:

• foods and beverages high in sugar
• arginine-rich items (such as chocolate, gelatin, and certain nuts)
• refined carbohydrates
• foods high in saturated fat

Consuming too much of these can impair immune function and potentially prolong the illness.

6. Herbal, homeopathic, and complementary remedies

You might explore homeopathic or herbal options alongside standard medical care to help manage shingles symptoms.

There is limited scientific proof that homeopathic remedies effectively treat any condition. Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  does not oversee the safety or efficacy of homeopathic products.

Some supplements and herbal preparations that people use to support immune response and help with sleep or anxiety related to shingles include:

• melatonin
• St. John’s Wort
• oregano oil
• Echinacea
• lemon balm
• green tea
• essential fatty acids

Before trying any homeopathic or herbal remedy, consult your physician. Seek immediate medical attention if your condition deteriorates.

Also consider complementary approaches such as aromatherapy or topical options discussed in resources about shingles essential oils to help with symptom relief.

Summary

Keep in mind that natural remedies don’t work for everyone. Even when a natural approach provides relief, there is still no cure for shingles; the virus must simply run its course.

Nevertheless, nonpharmacologic remedies can reduce discomfort and irritation and may support recovery when used alongside conventional treatments.