Herpes Zoster, more commonly known as Shingles, is a painful, debilitating condition that can be caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (AKA the chickenpox virus!).
While there is no cure for Herpes Zoster, there are many treatments available that can help relieve the symptoms and make a person more comfortable while the virus is making its way out of the body.
One of these potential treatments is red light therapy, which has been shown to significantly decrease inflammation and pain, but can it really work on shingles?
We looked at the existing research on red light therapy and herpes zoster and here’s what we found…
What Is Herpes Zoster?
If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you know firsthand just how miserable it can be – not to mention the scars that it can leave on your body!
But did you know that you can develop this painful condition more than once in your lifetime? This is called Herpes Zoster or Shingles.
Here’s how it works…
After you’ve been exposed to chickenpox as a child, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in your body for life.
As a result, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles when your immune system is weak, for example, due to stress or another illness.
Although some people can develop shingles only once in their lifetime, others may experience outbreaks more frequently, especially as they get older.
It is estimated that up to 1 in 3 people will develop shingles at some point in their lives, and over 1 million adults in the US suffer from it every year!
What Are The Symptoms of Herpes Zoster?
The early symptoms of shingles are similar to the symptoms of chickenpox and include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain and tenderness along the skin where the rash will appear
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Chills
- Extreme sensitivity to light
As the infection progresses, you will experience blisters which form into sores and crust over, before finally scabbing over and healing completely, similar to chickenpox.
These sores can be itchy and painful to the touch and can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on how severe the infection is.
They are also highly contagious and can spread to other areas of the body, causing further complications and increased discomfort for the person infected.
How is Herpes Zoster Treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for herpes zoster. However, there are a number of treatment options available which can help to control the symptoms and relieve the pain associated with the infection.
Aside from medication, there are also some alternative treatments. Red light therapy is one such treatment option that has become increasingly popular in recent years.
It is non-invasive and uses the power of therapeutic red LED lights to boost the body’s immune response and accelerate the healing process.
Because of this, it can offer significant relief from the symptoms associated with shingles and speed up the recovery process. This is one of the reasons why it has become an effective treatment for those suffering from this condition.
How Does Red Light Therapy Help Herpes Zoster?
It’s important to understand what causes the painful symptoms of shingles in the first place.
One of the main causes of this pain and discomfort is inflammation, swelling and redness of the nerve endings that triggers the pain sensation.
Inflammation is essentially your body’s defense mechanism against the infection. It works by protecting the area under attack and killing off the bacteria or virus which causes the irritation.
However, this inflammation can be quite painful and can limit your mobility while you recover. This is where red light therapy comes in!
We went into this in more detail in our ‘Red Light Therapy For Pain Relief: What You Need To Know’ blog but essentially, red light therapy works by stimulating the skin’s natural healing processes to combat inflammation and speed up the healing process.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
You see, red light therapy treatment for acute herpes zoster not only leads to a lower pain score but faster wound healing as well! [1]
This means that not only is the infected area healed quicker but you experience less pain and suffering as a result! In fact, the study showed that patients using red light therapy experienced 39% more pain relief compared to those who didn’t use it…
Pretty amazing, right?!
Especially when you consider that there are little to no risks or side effects associated with using it!
So, there you have it!
Not only is red LED light therapy proven to help treat the symptoms of shingles and reduce your pain levels… but it can also help accelerate the body’s natural healing process to ensure you’re back on your feet as soon as possible!
