Ailments & Conditions

Diagnosis and Common Treatments for Shingles

Shingles Treatment Options

OTC Therapies

Some OTC medications can be used to relieve symptoms of shingles. These include:

– OTC painkillers: ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen could be effective in relieving mild or moderate pain caused by the shingles rash.

Over-the-counter options may be recommended for use in conjunction with prescription medication, or perhaps instead of one, in some cases.

– Calamine lotion: this product can help ease pain and itching caused by a shingle rash. You can choose between a clear and thick version.

– Antihistamines: Another option to ease itching is to take an oral antihistamine. Be aware of drowsiness as a side effect. You can also try it topically in the form of a stick, cream, or spray

– Lidocaine: This is a local anesthetic that can temporarily numb affected areas and alleviate pain. Keep in mind to use the product only for intact skin

– Capsaicin: this is the active ingredient in chili peppers that provides a numbing effect on the skin. It can deplete substance P that is responsible for sending pain signals. You can easily find capsaicin cream in many drugstores. [4]