The Herpes Zoster Virus is responsible for causing shingles, which is a painful rash. This same virus is responsible for causing chicken pox in children.
There is also another kind of herpes known as herpes zoster or shingles. The herpes zoster virus is deemed to be inherently sleeping in the DNA in the spinal nerve bundles of the individual who has suffered from chickenpox once in his lifetime.
One of the first symptoms of herpes is the skin becoming red, tender and itchy. As the virus progresses blisters will develop which will form a head. This head fills with liquid and eventually breaks. The fluid contained in these blisters is very contagious.
Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, the Varicella Zoster Virus. If a person is exposed when young to the virus, they develop the common chicken pox rash. After a few weeks the skin rash clears but the virus never completely leaves the body, remaining in the nervous system.
Shingles (Herpes zoster) is a viral infection that develops in people who have had chickenpox in the past. It can come about when you have been subjected to prolonged emotional distress, an immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS, or taking chemotherapy treatments.
Shingles seldom affect the entire body. When it does affect the whole body, this is called chickenpox. If it does occur in more than one area, the internal organs such as gastrointestinal tract, lungs and the brain may be infected.
Viral reactivation ( reinfection) in an individual previously exposed to the varicella-zoster virus results in the development of herpes zoster (shingles). In this disease, small vesicles 3-5 mm in diameter occur in clustered patterns.
Herpes Zoster blisters can appear on the forehead, in the middle of the face, lower part of the face, back of the neck and the mouth. Some times you can get blisters in even in eye which can be dangerous to the eyesight.
Most adults have already contracted chickenpox. This common childhood disease causes a fever and a rash that itches maddeningly, but rarely does any permanent damage. However, once the varicella-zoster virus enters the body and has caused chickenpox, it doesn't go away.
Causes of herpes zoster vary. Eating spicy food or even a gentle wind can lead to herpes outbreaks. Aside from that, people who are constantly exposed to stress and weak immune systems are also more prone.
Many researchers believe herpes zoster is the result of a person getting older, their body going through changes, stress, and a weak immune system. This is because the majority of people diagnosed with shingles are over sixty and they have a low immune system.
Complications. The only complication occurs when the eye is involved. Without treatment and careful management, corneal ulceration and blindness may result.
The Ayurvedic treatment of herpes zoster is aimed at controlling the pain, treating localized symptoms and preventing complications like neuralgia.
There are also a number of herbs with a proved impact on viruses from the herpetic branch: peppermint, sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme and hyssop are only some of them. You can prepare a combined highly concentrated infusion of these herbs, let it cool and then wash the body areas affected by shingles.