Chickenpox and shingles

What is chicken pox?

Symptoms of chicken pox

Managing chicken pox

Healing shingles

What is chicken pox / shingles?

Chicken pox (herpes zoster, shingles, zoster, zona, varicella zoster) is a contagious viral disease. Most people are infected as children. However if chicken pox is first contracted as an adult it is more serious, and especially if pregnant (see a doctor).

Note: Herpes zoster is NOT the same disease as herpes simplex despite the name similarity.

After an episode of chickenpox has resolved the virus is not eliminated from the body. Years or decades after the initial infection it can occasionally emerge to cause shingles, an illness with very different symptoms (such as a painful rash). Although the rash usually heals within two to four weeks, some sufferers experience residual nerve pain for months or years, a condition called postherpetic neuralgia.

Most adults are infected with the varicella zoster virus. In those with a healthy immune system, the virus remains latent / dormant in the body. Increasing age and a compromised or weak immune system seem to be the greatest risk factors for an outbreak of shingles years after the initial herpes zoster infection. As the virus comes out of remission it can cause severe symptoms.

Worldwide, the yearly incidence of herpes zoster ranges from 1.2 to 3.4 cases per 1,000 healthy individuals, increasing to 3.9 to 11.8 among those older than 65 years.

The infected person is extremely contagious after the rash appears, and until their rash has developed crusts.

Symptoms of chicken pox

In children the symptoms tend to be mild, whereas in adults the symptoms can be more painful and severe, and longer lasting.

Between one and three weeks after contact with the source of infection, a child may have a headache, mild fever and malaise.

Next may come sensations of burning pain, itching, tingling, pricking, stinging, numbness, over-sensitivity or "pins and needles".

In most cases after 1-2 days, but sometimes after as long as 3 weeks, the above symptoms are followed by the appearance of the characteristic chicken pox skin rash. The pain and rash most commonly occurs on the torso, but can appear on the face, eyes or other parts of the body. The rash appears in a characteristic strip or belt-like pattern. Initially the rash is similar to hives, but then itchy or painful blisters develop that crust over after 7-10 days. Usually the crusts fall off and the skin heals, but scarring can occur.

The rash and pain usually subside within 3-5 weeks, but in a few cases much longer.

In 10-25% of cases, the eye can be infected. Rarely, other symptoms include conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis, and optic nerve palsies that can sometimes cause chronic ocular inflammation, loss of vision, and debilitating pain. If the ear is infected, this can cause loss of hearing or vertigo.

Managing chicken pox

• Keep to an alkaline diet with plenty of raw sour fruits, lemon juice with water, and vegetable juice.
• Stay in a well-ventilated room.
• Bath every day in lukewarm water to relieve itching.
• Wear light, loose, clothing. Preferably cotton, avoid wool.
• Cut children's nails short to reduce scratching.
• Wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching during sleep.

See a doctor if: There is any chance of pregnancy; pus filled spots or blisters develop near the eyes; there are convulsions, breathing problems, headache or earache.

Healing shingles

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a disease that triggers a painful red, sometimes spotty skin rash. It is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Shingles used to be a rare disease, but today about one in three adults who have had chickenpox will develop this condition later in life.

Vitamin D. The most important remedy for shingles is vitamin D sufficiency. People with shingles are three times more likely to be vitamin D deficient than the general population. Your health care provider should monitor your vitamin D level and ensure that it is at least 70 ng/ml (175 nmol/L). If you can't get sufficient sunlight or are older than 50 years, take 40,000 IU of vitamin D3 supplement per day while monitoring your vitamin D level. Do not get even the slightest bit sunburned even though it is important to get out in the sunshine. Also take 500 mg to 1000 mg of magnesium (on the skin) and 150 mcg of vitamin K2 (not K1) per day, as they are important cofactors for optimising vitamin D3 supplementation.

Get a vitamin D cream and spread it directly on the rash.

Geranium essential oil directly on the rash will reduce the pain.

Those with shingles often suffer from hypertension, which can be managed through diet and lifestyle.

Manage stress.