Most people recover from shingles on their own. Because it is a variation on the herpes virus and and resurgence of chicken pox virus, it cannot be treated with antibotics. It's usually a problem with a weak immune system in which one should talk to their doctor about. As a virus, it may come back, as it never actually goes away, just becomes dormant.

Shingles is -very- painful, debilitating even. There are proven solutions to speed up healing and reduce pain.

Of course, I'm not a doctor, but I would -highly- recommend that one sees a doctor about shingles. They will have better information and be able to show them how to care for it properly (keeping it clean, etc) and, prescribe medication.
Source(s):
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-topic-o...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shingles/DS00098
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_zoster
My older parents have had them.

Permalink | Report

Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Someone who has had chicken pox can have a shingles outbreak later in life, usually as an adult. The chicken pox virus goes dormant at the nerve roots, and then sometimes "wakes up" if the immune system is weakened.

Shingles aren't dangerous, but since they are located on nerve endings, they can be incredibly painful. The main thing is the blistery rash that is excruciating to have touched, although some people will get a headache, lightheadedness, dizziness and sensitivity to light as well. Mostly the rash will be on one side of the body, but in some cases it's on both sides.

Once you've had it, it can always become active again if you've had the standard treatment of anti-inflammatories and pain killers. However, lauric acid has been found to indirectly kill the varicella virus that causes it, by destroying the protein coat so that your body's defenses can then kill it.

I had shingles at age 18 within my first months of entering college. It lasted about 3 weeks; my doctor did not give me anything for it. My mother developed shingles just days before her 60th birthday, and fought it almost constantly for nearly 5 years. Her doctor told her that people who develop shingles after their 60th birthdays often never shake it. My mother, however, started using coconut oil in her diet, and now her outbreaks have slowed to the point where she believes she may have eradicated the virus from her system.
Source(s):
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-topic-o...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil

http://onibasu.com/archives/am/83483.html

Permalink | Report

The skin condition is temporary, however it is very painful. It normally disappears in a few days. Since it's caused by the Varicella virus(another type of which causes chickenpox). So, it's temporary, like chickenpox. It's treated with antiviral drugs.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingles

Permalink | Report