Zoster Treatment Alternatives And More
Shingles or herpes zoster treatment is not satisfactory at all. Conventional medicine has produced abysmal results and less than 10% of individuals find pain relief with the available drugs. Therefore, many patients have been turning to alternative care remedies for herpes zoster treatment. There are hundreds of alternative treatments on the market but unfortunately the majority of therapies have not been proven to work in clinical studies. All reports about efficacy about alternative herpes zoster treatment are anecdotes. The list of alternative treatments for shingles is long but the most common treatments include the following:
There are many Proteolytic enzymes obtained from a variety of natural foods and fruits like the papaya, kiwi and pineapple which are reported to help soothe the pain in shingles. Some of the Proteolytic enzymes are derived from animal pancreas and similar analogs are also used to treat patients with chronic pancreatitis. All such Proteolytic enzymes are available without a prescription and can be bought from any natural health food store. Side effects of Proteolytic enzymes include allergies, gastric upset, and diarrhea. One should understand that Proteolytic enzymes rarely work when they are taken by mouth as they immediately get broken down by acidity in the stomach. Proteolytic enzymes can also interfere with absorption of many prescription drugs and vitamins. Thus, one should discuss the use of these supplements with a physician prior to usage.
Tai Chi is widely hyped up as an effective treatment for zoster virus. In one uncontrolled study, elderly people who participated in tai chi reported decreased pain. However, the study was of short duration and only involved 36 patients. Moreover, criteria for assessing pain were very subjective.
Capsaicin Cream is made from special chili powder obtained from Eastern Europe. Capsaicin has been around for a few decades and used to treat neuropathic pain. A few studies have shown that topical application of capsaicin as treatment for zoster virus works but there are just as many studies which have shown no effect. The problem with capsaicin is that there are many formulations and the product quality and quantity does vary from store to store. Capsaicin is applied on to the skin 2-4 times day and takes a few weeks to work. If it fails to reduce pain after the first 5-7 days, it is unlikely to work at all. Thus, consumers should initially not buy dozens of bottles. The cream does cause a stinging or a burning sensation when first applied. The majority of people who have shingles do not find relief from capsaicin.
Other zoster treatment include acupuncture, peppermint oil, geranium oil, and aloe vera. Only anecdotal reports exist about the efficacy of these treatments. In any case, one should try to keep the skin area clean, dry and avoid hot showers. Cool wet compresses and calamine lotion can help reduce the itch and pain. Drink ample fluid and get lots of rest.
Unfortunately, shingles is a difficult disorder to treat and there is no ideal treatment. All alternative zoster treatments work to some degree but none is 100% effective.