What is Shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a blistering and itchy rash. The same virus that causes Chicken Pox. Its scientific name is: Varicella-Zoster.
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?
It started like an innocent zit that itched. You scratched it, and it broke 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, you cannot sleep and it makes you desperate for relief.
After searching for a natural way to quell the itch, I found the answer to be baking soda.
I was skeptical. 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, liberally and gently applying 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 it. The idea came to take a “white” washcloth, fold it into 4ths, wet it with bottled water ( so not to contaminate the sores ), wetting it but not dripping wet, and gently lay it onto a pile of baking soda. Guess what? It turned the part of the washcloth that touched it Orange. I was shocked. After thinking about it I feel I came upon an answer to 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. Just thought I would share it.
Yes, I needed to re-apply the baking soda again for the itch and did so until the lesions healed.
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 again.