Shingles is a rash caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same one that causes chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles. While you may remember suffering from chickenpox as a child and the horrbile itching it caused, shingles is characterized more by pain. This pain is not usually helped by traditional pain medications and may cause you to look for alternative treatments. If you suffer from shingles and are looking for something to treat the pain, peppermint oil might help.
Shingles
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, shingles is a rash of blisters that typically hits one side of the body in the torso region and forms a band, called a dermatome. Shingles causes nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia that can last for weeks or years after the infection is cleared. This can cause extreme pain. Shingles usually surfaces in older adults and a vaccine is available to adults over the age of 60 to help prevent or lessen the effects of the virus.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint is a plant that has been used for years to treat the common cold, inflammation in the mouth and throat, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome and gas. According to the National Institutes of Health, in 1990 the FDA banned the sale of peppermint oil as a digestive aid because of a lack of evidence for its effectiveness. However, it is now sold as a dietary supplement over-the-counter, and because of this it is not regulated by the FDA. In addition to its use as an oral herbal supplement, peppermint oil is applied topically to the skin for pain management.
Treatments and Research
A 2002 study published in "The Clinical Journal of Pain" looked at the use of peppermint oil and the topical application for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia caused by shingles. They looked at a 76-year-old woman who got no pain relief from traditional therapies and medications. By applying straight peppermint oil topically to her skin, she experienced almost immediate improvement of her pain. The treatment of peppermint oil caused a reduction in her pain that lasted for an average of 4 to 6 hours after application.
Considerations
If you are suffering from shingles and experiencing postherpetic neuralgia pain, consult your physician about pain management therapies. Discuss the use of peppermint oil treatment with him so he can advise you. As with any new medications or treatments, it is always important to let your physician know what medications you are currently taking to avoid possible interactions.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; NINDS Shingles Information Page; February 2011
- MedlinePlus: Shingles
- MedlinePlus: Peppermint
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Peppermint Oil; July 2010
- "The Clinical Journal of Pain"; A Novel Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia Using Peppermint Oil; S.J. Davies; May-June 2002
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