If you’ve ever had shingles, or know someone who has, you know it’s no walk in the park! I haven’t had it (yet) but I’ve heard the burning, stabbing pain, the angry red rash, and the downright exhaustion it brings can knock even the toughest of us flat on our backs. Did you know that about 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will develop shingles in their lifetime, according to the CDC?
That’s a staggering number, and it’s why I’m so passionate about helping you navigate this tricky condition with tools that actually work. As your friendly neighborhood pharmacist, I’ve got a treasure trove of tips, both from the prescription counter and the natural world, to help you heal, recover, and kick shingles to the curb. Let’s dive in!
What’s Going On with Shingles?
Shingles, or herpes zoster if we’re getting fancy, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same little troublemaker that gave you chickenpox as a kid. It hides in your spinal cord, and nerve cells (specifically cranial nerves) and lays dormant, until something (major stress, a weak immune system, or just bad luck) wakes it up. Then, bam – it travels along your nerves, causing inflammation, a blistery rash, and pain that can feel like a hot poker.
For some, the pain lingers long after the rash fades, a condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Not fun, right? But don’t worry, I’ve got your back with a game plan to soothe the sting and speed recovery. Let’s start with the meds first. They are not “soothing” but they will help a person recover faster than if you don’t take them. There is a graphic below that I downloaded for you, illustrating some of the signs and symptoms of shingles, but one thing is not mentioned on that graphic is tinnitus. That’s ear ringing, and it’s one complication of the the illness. Read more about this in my other article, Navigating the Noise: Identifying 12 Causes of Tinnitus and 8 Medications That Intensify It.
6 Different Rx and OTC Medications That Make a Big Difference!
Let’s start with the heavy hitters, prescription meds. the following drugs are not just used for the rash of shingles (PHN), but also for cold sores on your lip, or genital herpes. If you catch shingles early (within 72 hours of the rash showing up), antiviral drugs can be a game-changer. Here’s what I recommend talking to your doctor about:
- Acyclovir (Zovirax®): This is a classic antiviral that stops the virus from multiplying. It’s affordable and effective, especially if you start it pronto.
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex®): A step up from acyclovir, this one’s easier to take (fewer doses per day) and gets into your system faster. Studies show it can reduce the duration of pain and rash healing time.
- Famciclovir (Famvir®): Another antiviral option that works similarly but might be gentler on some stomachs.
For the pain itself—because, let’s be real, that’s the worst part, your doc might suggest:
- Gabapentin or Pregabalin: These nerve-pain meds can tame that electric-shock feeling. They’re not instant, but they build up relief over time. If you take gabapentin, read my other article, How to Properly Take Gabapentin and Restore 5 Lost Nutrients.
- Lidocaine Patches: These are like a hug for your skin—numbing the area and giving you a break from the burn. Over-the-counter versions exist, but prescription strength is where it’s at.
- Acetaminophen (paracetamol) or Ibuprofen: For milder pain, these OTC champs can help, though they won’t touch the nerve pain as well as the others.
One quick tip: Don’t wait to see your doctor. A 2016 study in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found that starting antivirals within 72 hours of rash onset cut the risk of PHN by nearly 50%. Early treatment is everything!
5 Must-Have Natural Remedies for Shingles Recovery
Now, let’s sprinkle some natural remedies into your healing mix. As you know, I’m a big believer that food and supplements can work hand-in-hand with meds to help your body heal. Here are my top 5 picks for shingles and some of these ingredients are in my DermaScript – a supplement you should consider if you have skin problems.
- Vitamin C: This antioxidant superhero boosts your immune system and helps repair skin damaged by the rash. Aim for 1,000–2,000 mg daily (split doses to avoid tummy upset). Bonus: It might shorten the viral attack!
- Zinc: Zinc is a mineral warrior that supports immune function and wound healing. Studies, like one from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2018, show zinc deficiency delays recovery from viral infections. Go for 25–50 mg daily with food.
- L-Lysine: This amino acid is a secret weapon against herpes viruses. It may block the virus from replicating by competing with arginine (which the virus loves). Try 1,000 mg three times daily during an outbreak.
- Vitamin B12: Nerve pain is shingles’ nasty calling card, and B12 helps repair nerve damage. I’ve seen patients feel less “zing” with 1,000 mcg daily, sublingual is my fave for fast absorption. If you get injections from your doctor I recommend “methylcobalamin” as opposed to “cyano” because the former is absorbed better, and provides a methyl group. It’s in Mito B Complex by the way.
- Magnesium: This mineral calms inflamed nerves and relaxes muscles tensed up from pain. Shoot for 400 – 600 mg daily (magnesium glycinate is gentle on the gut).
Why these five? They target the trifecta of shingles recovery: immune support, nerve repair, and pain relief. Pair them with a colorful, veggie-packed diet—think bell peppers, spinach, and berries—and you’re giving your body the building blocks to fight back.
What the Studies Say
Study 1: Timing of Antivirals and PHN Risk
Let’s talk timing, because it matters big-time. A fantastic review from The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2014 found that popping those antivirals—like acyclovir or valacyclovir—within 72 hours of your rash showing up can slash your risk of that nasty lingering nerve pain (PHN) by nearly 50%. Yep, you heard me—nearly half! So, don’t dilly-dally; hustle to your doc and get those meds rolling fast. Your nerves will thank you!
Study 2: Is Vitamin D Useful?
Researchers wanted to see if vitamin D could help with that awful lingering nerve pain after shingles, termed postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) as you know. They took 60 people with PHN, split them into two different groups, and then ran a 6-week experiment:
- Group 1: Got the standard treatment (like gabapentin or pregabalin for nerve pain) plus a big dose of vitamin D (50,000 IU weekly).
- Group 2: Just got the standard treatment, no extra vitamin D.
It was “open-label,” meaning everyone knew who got what, no placebo trickery here.
What They Found
After 6 weeks, the vitamin D group had less pain, way less! They measured pain with a visual analog scale (VAS, where 0 is no pain and 10 is torture), and the vitamin D group dropped from an average of 6.8 to 3.2 on their pain scale.
The control group? Barely budged, going from 6.6 to 5.8. Big difference between the two groups! Plus, the vitamin D folks reported better quality of life, less sleep trouble and more comfort overall. Blood tests showed their serum vitamin D levels shot up (from about 20 ng/mL to 45), while the control group remained pretty low.
With that, we now know that VITAMIN D might calm down inflamed nerves and tweak pain signals.* Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory capabilities and appears to help repair nerve damage from shingles. It’s not a cure obviously, but it could be a game-changer for PHN pain who are maxed out on meds.
Now let’s put it in perspective, It was a small study (just 60 people), open-label (no blinding of each arm of the study), and only 6 weeks long. Bigger, double-blind studies would seal the deal for most researchers, but it’s a promising start and I’d say to weave some D into your protocol, particularly if you are low on it. A simple blood test would evaluate that for you.
6 Lifestyle Tips to Speed Healing
Supplements and meds are awesome, but don’t sleep on these simple tricks:
- Cool It Down: A cool compress or oatmeal bath can soothe the rash and stop that maddening itch.
- Anti-Itch Relief: Try calamine lotion after the cool compresses.
- Avoid Touching: Try to wear loose clothing so the rash isn’t further aggravated. Avoid scratching the itch if necessary.
- Rest Up: Your immune system needs energy to battle this beast, so prioritize sleep and say no to overdoing it.
- Essential Oils Help: Geranium, frankincense, thyme or lavender essential oils may help relieve pain and itching associated with shingles. These should never be put on top of open or broken skin or on the active shingles rash. Be careful and dilute with carrier oils.
- Stress Less: Stress wakes up the virus, so try deep breathing or a funny movie to keep your cortisol in check.
Need more help with itching and skin problems like eczema, rosacea or dermatitis? I wrote a comprehensive blog about it, actually several so use my search box! Here’s one: 10 Novel Treatments for Chronic Itch, Eczema and Skin Infections.
Summary
Studies show antivirals like valacyclovir, started within 72 hours of rash onset, reduce postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) risk by nearly 50%, per a 2014 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews analysis. Another study, from 2015 in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, found that among women who got shingles, prior intervention lowered PHN odds, less so for men.
Then there’s the 2018 Pain Medicine trial: 50,000 IU of vitamin D weekly, added to standard nerve meds like gabapentin, cut PHN pain scores from 6.8 to 3.2 in six weeks, while the control group barely improved. Combine that with my top five supplements: Vitamin C, zinc, L-lysine, B12, and magnesium – and you’re supporting immunity and nerve repair.
These studies are small but point to a clear strategy: Act fast with antivirals and bolster with nutrients. Rest well and eat nutrient-rich foods to aid recovery. That’s your clinical plan to tackle shingles and PHN head-on. If this blog has helped you please pass it along to your friends, or post it on your social media sites.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
