How to Heal When You Have Shingles

The body has a way of communicating when it needs support. Whether it’s through fatigue or other symptoms, tuning into the body’s signals can help you care for yourself and move toward recovery.

Shingles is often associated with older adults, but younger people can also develop the condition, Glamour reports. Though age is the biggest factor linked to shingles, stress, having an illness, or taking certain medications, may also increase the chance of developing the viral infection.

While shingles can be uncomfortable, understanding the condition and getting treated quickly could help promote recovery and lower the risk of complications. Read ahead to learn more about how to recognize the symptoms of shingles, treat the infection, and take steps to protect yourself and others.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Shingles
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful, blistering rash. It develops when the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox — becomes active again years after a person recovers. While the virus remains dormant in the body for a long time, it can reactivate years later and trigger an infection known as herpes zoster, or shingles.

Symptoms of shingles include pain, burning, or tingling on an area of skin where the rash will develop, one or two days before it appears, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAS). The rash also commonly develops on one side of the body, often on the torso, though it can appear anywhere. Some people also report getting more blisters after the onset of the rash, making it seem like it’s spreading. Other signs of shingles may include fever, headache, muscle aches, stomach pain, or vomiting.

How to Treat Shingles
The number one preventive measure against shingles is getting vaccinated, Everyday Health explains. However, if you already have the disease, getting treatment immediately could make a big difference for healing and preventing future complications.

Antiviral medications can shorten the severity and the amount of time you have the disease. They’re also most effective if you take them as soon as possible after the rash appears. Prescription or over-the-counter pain medication may help alleviate pain. Home remedies, like colloidal oatmeal baths, wet compresses, and calamine lotion, can also be helpful for relieving itchiness.

It’s important to embrace self-care while you have shingles, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAS). Getting enough rest, eating healthy and balanced meals, calming your mind by doing activities that you enjoy, avoiding stress, and wearing loose-fitting clothing may help you feel better.

While shingles can be painful, early treatment and mindful self-care could help ease symptoms and pave the way for recovery. By listening to your body, getting the rest you need, and seeking care when symptoms appear, you can support the healing process and return to feeling like yourself again.