What is Shingles?
Shingles is a nasty viral infection, that causes a blistering and itchy rash. The same virus that causes Chicken Pox. Its scientific name is: Varicella-Zoster. The virus lays dormant in the human body until conditions are right for it to surface as “Shingles”.
How do we get the Shingles virus?
- Age
- Stress
- Low immune system
- Having Chicken Pox as a child
What does this Shingles virus look like
For me, it started like an innocent zit that itched. You innocently scratch it, and it breaks open. The stinging, burning, and spreading had begun. It got ugly fast.
What should I do?
See a doctor immediately! The spreading is fast, and the itching and burning is continual. For some reason, it seems to select the side of our chest/rib area but can end up on the face and hands. If it gets near the eyes, take it very seriously, as it can blind you.
How long will it last?
This virus can last 4 to 6 weeks. Two weeks of constant itching and the following weeks for the lesions to heal.
I found a remedy to the severe itch
Baking Soda! Yes, you heard me right. The itch is so severe that you cannot sleep, making you desperate for relief.
After searching for a natural way to quell the itch, I found the answer on Google, to be baking soda. Who would have ever guessed?
I was skeptical, but thought I would try it. After getting a saucer and putting about 1/2 cup of baking soda onto it, I dampened my fingers,
so the baking soda would stick to them, and liberally and gently applied it to every itching spot. It stopped the itch of this dreadful virus.
I was amazed and thankful.
An important revelation about this virus
I wanted to lessen the “piles” of baking soda on these sores. Taking a shower or a bath was out of the question, as I was afraid of spreading
this virus. My idea was to take a “white” washcloth, fold it into 4ths, wet it with bottled water ( so not to contaminate the sores ), wet it but
not dripping wet, and gently lay it upon the sores, with a pile of baking soda on them. Guess what? It turned the part of the washcloth that
touched it, Orange!
I was shocked. After thinking about it, I felt I had come to an answer regarding the color. The blisters fill with a liquid. It is that liquid that
causes the spreading. The baking soda soaked up that liquid and quelled the itch. The liquid must have been orange in color. Wow! A real
revelation to my inquiring mind for sure. I thought I would share this with anyone and everyone who has had to deal with this virus. I
wanted to pass on this wonderful, inexpensive, and handy remedy to others.
I needed to re-apply the baking soda again for the itch and did so until the lesions healed. The relief lasted about 15 minutes each time I
applied the baking soda. It was only 15 minutes, but the relief felt wonderful.
Personal Recommendation
When the scabs disappeared and I felt more like going out in public and seeing my doctor, I was told to get the vaccine, to help fight getting
this condition again. I asked to have the vaccine, and was told that because I had the outbreak, I now had to wait 1 year before I could be
vaccinated!
Folks…the Shingles virus is awful. It is painful beyond words and does a number on the body (probably different for everyone). You do
want to get this vaccine because you can get it again.
Upon waiting the 1 year, I found the vaccine is a 2 shot vaccine…that is how virulent this disease is! I do not want to think I could get
this dreadful virus ever again!