Shingles is a painful rash that can be treated with medication and self-care measures. Here are some things you can put on a shingles rash to help relieve symptoms:
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Cool, wet compresses: Run a washcloth under cool water and place it on your blisters for about 20 minutes at a time. This can relieve pain and reduce itching.
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Soothing baths and lotions: Taking a cool bath or using soothing baths and lotions, such as colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or calamine lotion, can help relieve itching and discomfort.
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Antiviral medications: These medicines may slow down the progress of the shingles rash, especially if you take them within the first 72 hours of having symptoms. They may also help you stave off postherpetic neuralgia, which is a burning pain that some people get after the rash and blisters of shingles go away.
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Other medications: If you have severe pain after the rash clears or an infection during your shingles outbreak, your doctor might prescribe capsaicin cream, anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or numbing agents to treat your pain.
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Natural remedies: Some natural remedies, such as baking soda and cornstarch paste, can help relieve itching caused by a shingles rash. Create a paste using cornstarch or baking soda and water and apply it to your rash. Rinse it off after 10 to 15 minutes and repeat several times a day as needed.
Its important to see your doctor as soon as possible if you think you might have shingles. They can prescribe medications to control your infection and speed up healing, cut inflammation, and ease your pain.
