{"id":7266,"date":"2019-07-06T04:49:52","date_gmt":"2019-07-06T04:49:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=7266"},"modified":"2021-06-12T17:26:05","modified_gmt":"2021-06-12T17:26:05","slug":"14-home-remedies-to-relieve-postherpetic-neuralgia-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-home-remedies-to-relieve-postherpetic-neuralgia-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Home Remedies to Relieve Postherpetic Neuralgia Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication from having shingles. It affects the fibers of the nerves and skin, which will cause a burning sensation even after the rash and blisters of having shingles have gone away.
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The chickenpox causes shingles. When you have shingles, the lesions will appear on the face and torso. Once you have chickenpox, it is in your system for the rest of your life. As you age and your immune system weakens you can develop shingles. A person older than 50 can get postherpetic neuralgia quicker. Some people have complications with having postherpetic neuralgia, such as depression and loss of appetite.
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There is no cure, but there are home remedies that can relieve the symptoms and make life a little easier. Postherpetic neuralgia causes pain that lasts three months and longer, itching, and sensitivity to light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person living with postherpetic neuralgia doesn\u2019t have to suffer because there are eight home remedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Essential oils are good for healing the skin because they have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With essential oils<\/a>, they should be diluted with another carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil. These oils are light. Essential oils are so potent that if you place them on your skin without a carrier oil, it will cause irritation.
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Some essential oils that are good to use when you have postherpetic neuralgia are chamomile, tea tree, and eucalyptus oil. These three essential oils will speed the healing process of postherpetic neuralgia. Before you use essential oils, always do a patch test on the inside of your elbow to see if you will have an allergic reaction.
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Once you find out you\u2019re not allergic, apply the mix to your face and torso daily. The pharmacist may be able to pre-mix the oil for you, if you don\u2019t feel comfortable mixing it yourself.
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2. Cold compresses are a good home remedy to use for postherpetic neuralgia. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The cold compress will reduce inflammation <\/a>and itchiness of the rash. The cold compress doesn\u2019t have to be freezing cold. If the water is too cold, your skin\u2019s sensitivity will increase. The water should be just cold enough and place a clean washcloth into the water. Place the cold compress onto the rash and let it stay on the rash for a few minutes. This can be done a few times a day.
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Instead of scratching the skin, get a cold compress and place it against the skin. Don\u2019t rub the cloth against the skin when it\u2019s itching. By rubbing it, it\u2019s like you\u2019re scratching it. The redness will start to disappear as well. The more times you place a cold compress onto the rash, the redness will go away. This can even be done when you\u2019re out. Just keep a bottle of water and clean washcloth with you at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Witch hazel is a home remedy that will help relieve your symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Witch hazel<\/a> has been known to be better than chamomile when it comes to reducing inflammation and itchiness. It can be applied to the affected areas with a clean cotton swab. Use a different cotton swab for different rashes on the skin.
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If one area of the skin is healing, you don\u2019t want to infect it again with a dirty cotton swab. Witch hazel can be applied a couple of times a day, but if you are experiencing itchiness, you may want to apply it to the affected area more than once.
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It is better to reapply than to scratch the area. It will take longer for the area to heal if you scratch it. Witch hazel comes in many different brands, but they all work the same. It also comes in a cream form.
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4. Cool showers and baths will help relieve the symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking cool showers or baths will help keep blisters <\/a>and sores clean. There is no need to scrub the skin. The skin is already irritated enough. The cool shower or bath will prevent you from scratching the affected area. When you scratch, it will cause scarring.
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The water doesn\u2019t have to be freezing cold because you don\u2019t want to increase your skin\u2019s sensitivity. A little warm water can be mixed in, but you should feel the cool water a little more. When you dry yourself off, don\u2019t scrub your skin. Just pat your skin with the towel.
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Also, since you are taking cool baths or showers, it is probably a good idea to take them at least twice a day. You will really need to take one after working out because you are sweaty and your skin will be irritated and itchy.
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5. Oat baths will relieve symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oat baths soothe inflamed and sensitive skin and keep it moisturized. When you take an oat bath make sure you use cool water. Sit in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes.
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While sitting in the bath, your itchiness <\/a>and inflammation will start to disappear. The more you take oat baths, your symptoms will go away. Once you finish taking the oat bath, you can apply a lotion with oats in it, like Aveeno. It is a good idea to take an oat bath a couple of times a day. If not a couple of times a day, at least at night before you go to bed. You will have a good night\u2019s rest by doing so.
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Since you\u2019re taking a cool bath, always be sure to have warm heat in the bathroom because when you get out of the tub, your body will be cold. It will take a while for your body temperature to go back to normal.
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6. Diet will relieve postherpetic neuralgia symptoms. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you eat healthy your body changes for the good. When you have postherpetic neuralgia<\/a> should eat a variety of orange, red, and green foods. Each of the foods should contain carotenoids because they are good for the immune system.
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Postherpetic neuralgia works off of a weakened immune system, so you will need to eat foods that will work for you, not against you. Some orange foods include carrots and apricots. Red foods are watermelon and cherries and green foods include kale, lettuce, and spinach. When you eat these foods, make sure to wash them thoroughly in hot water and cook all of your vegetables all the way through.
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When you change your diet, you\u2019ll need to limit your sugar and salt intake. If you can eliminate it completely, along with trans and saturated fats. You may want to eliminate dairy products as well.
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7. Reducing stress will help relieve your symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stress <\/a>is one of the causes of having skin problems. Inflammation and itchiness will increase when you\u2019re stressed. Meditation and doing things that make you relax will reduce stress. Find a hobby that you enjoy doing.
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Writing down your thoughts when you\u2019re stressed will help out a lot. When you can\u2019t talk about your problems, writing it down helps a lot.
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When you meditate, find a quiet room, close the blinds or shades, and sit on the floor or lie on the bed. Empty your mind of bad thoughts and breathe in and out slowly. Do this for as long as you need to. You can even close your eyes while you do it. Meditation can be done as many times of the day that you want and need to. When you have a flare-up, just meditate and the irritation may go away.
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8. Stop smoking will help relieve symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Smoking weakens the immune system<\/a> and it is even worse for an older person who smokes. They are already in danger of getting postherpetic neuralgia.
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When you stop smoking, it allows skin disorders to heal quicker. With postherpetic neuralgia, it will go away, but the blisters and rash will still be on the face or torso. The blisters and rash will eventually go away, but by smoking it\u2019ll stay on the face and torso much longer. It is not easy to stop smoking, so it\u2019s important to speak with your primary care physician who can get you on a smoking cessation program.
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People who are in these types of programs have an easier time quitting than people who do it on their own. As you get older, it is vital that you stop bad habits and smoking is one of them.
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