Over the Counter: Prevention options to supplement shingles vaccine

Unless you are a roofer, hearing the word “shingles” is enough to send shivers down your spine. Or perhaps prompt an itching sensation over your torso.

Shingles, also known by its even more disturbing description, herpes zoster, is an infection sparked by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is not life threatening but can be extremely painful. It causes a red, sensitive rash that can appear anywhere on the body, most often on one side of the torso. Early on, people with shingles will feel a burning or tingling. Shingles can last from two to six weeks and vary in its severity.

Anyone who has had chickenpox as a child can develop shingles later in life, most commonly after the age of 50. The risk factor for shingles increases the older you get. According to the Mayo Clinic, people over 60 have an increased risk of complications such as postherpetic neuralgia, or pain from damaged nerve fibers; vision loss from shingles in or around the eye; various neurological problems; and skin infections from improperly treated blisters.

The reason the risk factor is greater for people aged 50 or older is because the body’s immune system weakens over time. The stress of daily life also plays a role in shingles. So, you’ve had chickenpox and at a higher risk of developing shingles, what can you do now to prevent it?

Over the last 20 years, we’ve witnessed breakthroughs in the development of vaccines for shingles. There are two proven vaccines, Zostavax (introduced in 2006) and Shingrix (introduced in 2017). But because of some difference on how they each prevent shingles, Shingrix is the preferred shot if you’re a healthy adult age 60 or older. But, just like any vaccine, there’s still a chance you can develop the infection.

While getting the vaccine is a good plan, it’s only just one option. There are many options at your disposal that can help prevent and treat shingles or supplement the vaccine.

Step one is prevention. Like any virus, varicella-zoster can lay low in your body for a long time waiting for the right time to strike. In the case of shingles, that’s usually a weakened immune system caused by age, health habits and environmental stressors.

Taking steps to reduce your stress is key. And while a doctor can’t prescribe you a new relationship or job, we can each take it upon ourselves to do things that are good for our physical, mental and emotional well-being.

There are also natural supplements that you can take to boost your body’s immune function. Most include a blend of key nutrients, vitamins, minerals and natural extracts. These extracts are tried and tested, both over time and in clinical studies. These natural supplements can go a long way to help your body stay healthy and fight off the cold, flu and other viruses like the cause of shingles.

Should you ever have shingles, there’s still plenty you can do to address your symptoms early on to shorten the episode or at least make yourself more comfortable. Once you start having early symptoms like a mild irritation or redness, exploring natural supplements is an easy and economical way to treat yourself without spending a lot of money on a test or doctor’s visit. Because these treatments are natural there’s no downside to trying them – just like taking an aspirin if you don’t have a headache.

You can try a topical treatment or a pill or drop that are all packed with natural remedies, including Hypericum perforatum, that will soothe your skin, reduce pain, prevent scarring. And if you are already experiencing a bad rash, an oatmeal or lavender oil bath can be very soothing. Just be sure to test it on your skin first.

Gary Kracoff has a degree in naturopathic medicine and is a registered pharmacist and John Walczyk is a compounding pharmacist at Johnson Compounding & Wellness in Waltham, Mass. For more information, visit http://naturalcompounder.com. Readers with questions about natural or homeopathic medicine, compounded medications, or health in general can email gary@naturalcompounder.com or call 781-893-3870.