What to Put On Shingles Once They Scab?

What to Put On Shingles Once They Scab?

Shingles (herpes zoster) infection is a common viral disease that affects the nerves and appears in the form of small blisters that spread anywhere in the body.

These blisters are usually accompanied by pain, tingling and itching, and the pain disappears in most cases after the blisters heal, but in some cases it continues to exist for months and perhaps years and is called in these cases postherpetic neuralgia.

When you get chickenpox and recover from it, the virus remains in some nerves for life and attacks again when the body’s immunity weakens, which is why people over the age of 50 suffer from this problem.

Through this article, you can learn What to Put On Shingles Once They Scab? to relieve the feeling of pain and get rid of the itching.

Best Treatments for Shingles After Scabbing

The Best Treatments for Shingles After Scabbing include:

  • Antivirals: such as Zovirax, Valtrex, which target the virus itself and reduce the period in which the disease is active and reduce the severity of symptoms.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers: such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which reduce the feeling of pain and provide comfort to the patient.
  • Prescription pain relievers: In some cases, over-the-counter pain relievers are not enough and the patient needs stronger medications.
  • Capsaicin: A cream that can numb the painful areas.
  • Lidocaine: It is also a topical cream that can numb the pain sites and provide a better feeling.
  • Calamine lotion: Soothes itching and fights blisters.
  • Oatmeal baths: Helps soothe itching and treats inflammation.
  • Histamine response: Also helps get rid of itching and inflammation.
  • Steroids: They are prescribed to relieve pain and itching, especially in severe cases.
  • Topical antibiotic creams: To protect pimples from becoming infected with bacteria that can make the condition worse. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.)

Soothing Remedies for Healing Shingles Scabs

Here are some effective remedies to help you know what to put on shingles once they scab:

Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion works as an effective treatment for itching and rashes and helps soothe the scabies caused by shingles and makes you feel better.

It contains: Calamine, Zinc Oxide, Glycerin and acts as an antiseptic, moisturizer and antibacterial.

Witch Hazel

It is widely used in treating itching and inflammation and is extracted from a natural plant and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Colloidal Oatmeal Bath

It works as a soothing agent for itching and inflammation and can make you feel better in cases of scabies caused by shingles and you can get it simply by adding oatmeal to your bath water.

Cold Compresses

A person with shingles can apply a cold compress or ice pack to help soothe the effects of inflammation and relieve itching. (NIH, 2021)

Read Also: Is Shingles Contagious by Touch or Airborne?

How to Care for Shingles Scabs Naturally

What to put on shingles when it crusts over, how to treat the problem naturally, and here’s the answer:

  • Wear loose cotton clothing.
  • Add oatmeal to the bath.
  • Use topical creams that contain witch hazel.
  • Use cold compresses.
  • Use topical creams that contain capsaicin or lidocaine.
  • Take your medication as prescribed.

References

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved from Shingles: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/shingles

NIH. (2021). Retrieved from Shingles: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/shingles/shingles

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