Angie Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 I have shingles on my forehead/ right side of face. I have got antivirals, quite a lot actually. I have been full of cold for over a week, saw the doc friday for antibiotics for chest infection and sinusitis, as the cold/flu was going nowhere after 8 days. This weekend the patchy spots came out on my forehead, it is very sore, itchy,hot and sensitive as well as painful..if that makes sense to anyone. Please can anyone give me some advice on how to ease things abit. I have a very tender right ear in fact all that side of my head hurts. I take anti inflammatories and pain meds for my arthritis so am well dosed up atm. What is the best to help dry it up when the spots rupture ? keep it out of my eye, that is worrying me more than anything. All advice welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 My daughter had shingles a while ago, on her side...she was only little, and it was quite tender. I had a regualr supply of anti viral cream from the GP, but it didn't seems to do anything other than soften the scabby blisters. I went on the internet and found some melissa ointment, which was recommended by the Herpes Society ( don't be frightened, the viruses are related.....) and that seemed to work much better. I'll see if I can find the link for you. I hope you feel better soon x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 http://www.herpes.org.uk/acatalog/Creams.html This was it....excellent, if a bit pricey. http://www.herbsfromwales.co.uk/joomla/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=21&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26 found this also...fingers crossed x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted April 4, 2011 Author Share Posted April 4, 2011 Thank you , i think the next few days are going to be uncomfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Antihistamines can help if itchy and bathing in Bicarb of soda helps chicken pox and shingles - just chuck some in a warm bath. Dont know why it does - just does. hope you are better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Yes, I'm afraid they may be...the melissa can also help prevent post herpetic neuralgia, which luckily, my daughter appeared not to suffer with, the occasional soreness. Fingers crossed for you, and I also gave her baths in very dilute lavender and tea tree baths...I used Tincture of St Johns WOrt and Bicarb baths when the girls had the chicken Pox too..excellent, as they had millions!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reikiranf Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 I had shingles last year and it wasn't too bad at the time, I put apple cider vinegar on kitchen roll or cotton wool a few times a day, blotted it over the rash and it really helped to stop the itching & the rash went quite quickly My doctor didn't give me anti-viral medication as I was too young to be at risk of post herpetic pain Anyway I did get it and it was awful, worse than the actual shingles and lasted about 6 months. But I'm fine now. I hope that you recover quickly it sounds like you have a nasty dose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 You must be feeling so miserable, I do sympathise. I had shingles 3 years ago and it was so painful. I had the rash around my right middle and on the right breast. All I can say is ask your pharmacist to suggest something soothing to apply to the rash and take what ever pain relief works best for you. I found that paractamol with caffiene tablets worked far better than anything my doctor prescribed and I didn't wear a bra for weeks, which wasn't a pretty site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 I Sympathise - both of my daughters have had Shingles,the eldest just a few months ago. The are where she had the rash is still uncomfortable,& she can't wear any 'hipster' type jeans,which as an 18 year old,is a huge sacrifice Poor you,having it on your face..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 With coldsores (same virus again). There are foods to avoid and foods to eat. Do eat foods containing Lysine. Fish, milk, chicken, pork, other meat. Avoid eating Arginine, nuts, cholcolate. This is not a full list! The way it works is that the virus needs Arginine to grow, and the Lysine mops ups excess Arginine. So double pronged attack. Avoid what it needs and mop up what you have eaten already. Ask your doctor and do some research yourself to see if it is the same for shingles. Hope this helps and that you feel better. I haven't suffered from cold sores in years. Touch wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 @ Sari, the melissa oil is on the way, even my drs receptionist says it is good. I have coped with face washes and ice. My pain meds don't do much but they take the edge off. I have to admit the itching is the worst i have ever experianced ( even mossi bites weren't as bad as this) trying not to scratch with it being on my face but it is soooo darn fustratingly difficult. I am still struggling with the flu/cold that started this off, it has been a really nasty virus....just want to sleep all the time now, i managed 4 hrs last night, i'm exhausted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
