Skin Conditions

7 Best Essential Oils for Shingles

Shingles is a skin disease, whereby the inflammation of the ganglia of the spinal and cranial nerve takes place. It is due to the same virus responsible for chicken pox, i.e. varicella-zoster. This virus remains inactive in the nerve cells if a person has already had chicken pox before.

Accompanied with initial itching sensations, it leads to deep pain causing blister like rashes on the affected person. These rashes last mostly from two to four weeks, and people manage to recover completely, most of the times. Essential oils for shingles along with other home remedies offer sufficient relief from this situation.

Middle-aged, elder and those with a weak immune system are more prone to come under the clutches of shingles. In several instances, the persisting pain caused due to shingles becomes worrisome. These wretches the life of many hapless sufferers who have to undergo tremendous ordeals. This is where essential oils come to rescue as these natural extracts attack the root cause of evil to provide relief.

Types, symptoms, and causes of shingles

Types

  • Face: when the face is infected
  • Body: when other body parts are infected

Symptoms

  • Blisters (red)
  • Burning sensation
  • Tingling
  • Throbbing
  • Prickling skin
  • Rashes with fever, fatigue or a headache

[Read: Natural Ways to Get Rid of Shingles]

Causes

  • Reactivation of the varicella zoster virus
  • Weak immune system
  • Physical contact with the infected area
  • Age (older than 50)
  • Long-term use of steroids
  • Regular stress
  • Cancer
  • HIV

What essential oils are good for shingles

1. Lavender oil for Shingles

Lavender oil is an extremely useful essential oil since it is jam-packed with essential properties which are varied in nature and owing to which there are many versatile uses of lavender oil.

Why use lavender oil for shingles

Numerous therapeutic properties of lavender oil such as antidepressant, antibiotic, analgesic, antiseptic and diuretic make it an excellent remedy to tackle shingles.

How to use Tea tree oil for shingles

  • Apply topically on the spinal column and affected areas.
  • Blend it with other essential oils to get effective results.
  • Apply on the forehead to ease off the pain.
  • Put drops of lavender oil in your bath.
  • Dilute using carrier oils and apply.

[Read : Lavender Oil Benefits]

2. Tea tree oil for shingles

Tea tree oil(1) is antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and fungicide in nature which makes it easier for you to fight against shingles with the help of tea tree oil.

Why use tea tree oil for shingles

Tea tree oil is mostly used in case of shingles and pregnancy; this is because tea tree oil is a complete mixture of all the necessary ingredients which is required in case of pregnancy to deal with shingles.

How to use tea tree oil for shingles

  • You can mix tea tree oil with lavender oil to create a hot compress.
  • You can make a compress by placing 5-10 drops of each oil into a pan of water, take a cloth and put it in the liquid, then wrung out.
  • As the compress is prepared, now you can apply it on the shingles rash approximately 15 minutes or until it reaches body temperature.

[Read: Home Remedies for Shingles]

3. Hemp seed oil for shingles

Hemp seed oil is beneficial for skin health with its overall properties hemp seed oil is a proven ambassador of your skin care.

Why use hemp seed oil for shingles

Hemp seed oil has a ratio of 3:1 of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids which helps you for a healthy heart and this comes handy in case of shingles nerve pain too.

How to use hemp seed oil for shingles

  • Hemp seed oil will help you with shingles blisters.
  • Add ¼ cup of hemp seed oil; two teaspoons melted coconut oil and 4-6 drops of rosemary oil.
  • Apply the mixture directly onto the shingles rash and shingles blisters.

[Read : Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil]

4. Peppermint oil for shingles

Peppermint oil is an antibacterial and antiviral oil. These properties will help you in getting rid of shingles stress in numerous ways.

Why use peppermint oil shingles

Peppermint is known to kill bacteria that might be causing rashes and blisters which is one of the main irritations of shingles.

How to use peppermint essential oils for shingles

  • Rub 4-5 drops of peppermint oil onto the rashes and blisters with a gentle massage after cleaning the surface with clean and lukewarm water.
  • Apply the oil within every six hours and continue the applications until the rashes and blisters go away completely.

5. Bergamot oil for shingles

Bergamot oil(2) is sedative, antibiotic, antispasmodic and disinfectant in nature and this makes bergamot oil a beneficial oil for you in case of the shingles rash.

Why use bergamot essential oils for shingles

Bergamot oil helps you in easing the pain which is caused by rashes and blisters. It can even kill the virus which is the main reason for the shingles blisters.

How to use bergamot oil for shingles

  • Start by cleaning the affected area with fresh water(water must be at room temperature).
  • Then apply a few drops of bergamot oil onto the affected area, leave it for 4-8 minutes and then rinse with clean water.
  • You can even inhale as its aroma will help you with shingles stress.

6. Chamomile oil for shingles

Chamomile oil is a great helping hand when it is about fighting cancer cells. As you know, people who have cancer to get the problem of shingle rash and blisters, so here chamomile essential oils for shingles can be of great help to you.

Why use chamomile oil for shingles

Chamomile can fight and even kill the cancer cell, and hence it can surely help with shingles and cancer cell are one of the biggest reasons for shingles in most of the cases.

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How to use chamomile for shingles

  • Take a few drops of chamomile oil in your hands and rub it for 2-3 minutes.
  • Then add 2-3 drops of coconut oil and mix it properly.
  • Apply the mixture on the affected skin and leave it for 20-30 minutes
  • Then wash with clean water, it will soothe the irritated skin.

[Read: Chamomile Oil Benefits]

7. Geranium oil for shingles

Geranium oil is commonly used for acne. But this oil can be used by you for balancing hormones and inflammation too. This is one of the best essential oils for shingles.

Why use geranium oil for shingles

Geranium oil is useful in dealing with fatigue and uplifts the mood. Shingles stress can be very well treated with this oil.

How to use geranium oil for shingles

  • Add five drops of geranium oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil
  • Then rub the mixture onto the infected area.
  • Repeat this twice a day with an equal period of intervals until the infection fades away.

[ Read: Treat Shingles with CBD Oil ]

Other oils for Shingles

1. Coconut oil for shingles

Coconut oil has anti-aging and antioxidant properties which make it helpful to you in case of shingles by killing the germs and fighting against the virus responsible for shingles.

Why use coconut oil for shingles

Coconut oil can be used in case of sagging of skin and is undoubtedly useful with rashes. Coconut oil makes skin soft therefore making the itching sensation to subside.

How to use coconut oil for shingles

  • For a message of the oil, warm it just a little bit
  • Then gently rub it over the infected area.
  • Repeat the same at least once a day, until shingles go away.

[Read: Home Remedies for Skin Rashes]

2. Emu oil for shingles

Emu oil(3) is anti-inflammatory oil which helps you prevent any inflammation due to shingles on any of the affected area.

Why use emu oil for shingles

Emu oil will help you with maintaining skin moisture and enhancing skin absorption. Emu oil is favorable for use in pregnancy as this oil is good for breast sensitivity in women.

How to use emu oil for shingles

  • Wash the affected skin and take some oil in your hands.
  • Emu being an antiseptic can be applied directly to the affected skin for easing with dry and harsh rashes.
  • Massage it gently over the area and let it rest.

Risk and preventions

Before using any of the above-mentioned essential oils for shingles, you must consult it with a healthcare expert so that you do not form any allergic reactions because of use. The proper application must be made on a regular basis for desired results.

Problems like these can otherwise result to something even worse if not given adequate attention and oils should be tested on you for any allergic reaction that they might cause with their use on your body. Your body’s response to any oil must be checked before using any oil for the long run with any purpose.

Home remedies for shingles

On the side of essential oils for shingles, there are many home remedies available for your help to cure shingles, and they are as follows

  • Cleaning regularly with mild soap and water.
  • Cold press that is holding cold cloth and compress it against the rash area might assist in relieving itchiness and reduce inflammation.
  • Witch hazel can be applied topically over the affected area to ease off the pain.
  • Cool baths with minimal scrubbing will reduce the risk of infection.
  • Oat baths in the form of 1 to 2 cups in lukewarm water can be used to get relief from itchiness and inflammation.
  • Diet:- carrot, pumpkin, apricot, watermelon, red pepper, grapefruit, cherry, kale, parsley, spinach, melon, lettuce, and endive. Light trans and saturated fats must be limited, and sugar and salt must be avoided as much as possible.
  • Quit smoking:- It causes cancer. And cancer cells help shingles to grow and feed upon.
  • Reduce stress:- try to live a life which is free from stress, as much as possible.

FAQs

1.  What are the early symptoms and signs of shingles?

Early symptoms and signs of shingles include burning, itching, tingling or sensitive skin for up of three or more days.

2. Are shingles contagious?

Yes, shingles are contagious. It spreads from person-to-person and through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters.

3. What is the most common complication of shingles?

Nerve pain is the most complication of shingles. The medical term for that pain is postherpetic neuralgia.

4. Is there a shingles vaccine available?

Yes, and is recommended for all adults age 60 and above. Regardless of whether they remember if they had chickenpox or not they must get it.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to cure shingles. However, proper care and preventions recovery are likely to a very great extent. Using treatments to alleviate symptoms will increase the level of comfort and mental well-being.

And get your life back close to normal. Yes, it is possible, and you must keep faith in yourself and understand the process of fighting against the shingles started. Don’t give up until you are proud of your condition, it will need time and won’t be easy but it worth all the efforts.

There is now a vaccine available to prevent shingles. Anyone who is aged over 50 or is at risk of developing shingles should consider seeing a healthcare expert and get the vaccine as soon as possible.