Until…
In her early 30s, her left arm started to hurt tremendously. Soon after, red splotches appeared on the same arm.
“Could this be shingles?” she thought.
Friends repeatedly told her that she was too young. But then a visit to a doctor confirmed the common diagnosis.
It was indeed shingles. And if she didn’t isolate herself, she risked giving chicken pox to her young child.
Angela’s story is not unique.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one out of three Americans will have shingles during the course of a lifetime. And about 1 million cases of shingles are diagnosed in the United States each year.
So just what is shingles?
According to the CDC, “Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. For reasons that are not fully known, the virus can reactivate years later, causing shingles.”
Shingles can affect anyone who has ever had the chickenpox virus, children included. That said, it’s most common to get shingles in later years. In fact, nearly 50 percent of cases of shingles are found in men and women 60 and older. It is important to note that shingles is not caused by the virus that causes genital herpes.
According to the Mayo Clinic, shingles can have many symptoms. These can include pain, burning, numbness or tingling, sensitivity to touch, a red rash that begins a few days after the pain, fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over, and itching. Further, those affected by shingles can experience fever, headache, sensitivity to light and fatigue.
Although shingles is not life-threatening, it can cause extreme pain. This pain is usually one of the first signs of the condition. And this discomfort can be confused with heart, lung and kidney problems. Some can experience pain with no signs of the telltale rash.
Oddly enough, shingles usually affects just one side of the body (as in the case of Milton). This often occurs in the form of striped blisters that circle one side of the torso. Additionally, this rash can sometimes be seen in one eye or the side of the neck or face.
According to the CDC, some people have an increased risk of developing shingles. Those in this risk category include: people with impaired immune systems, those with HIV and those who take immunosuppressive medications.
Is shingles contagious?
According to the CDC, shingles itself is not. But “the virus that causes shingles, the varicella zoster virus, can be spread from a person with active shingles to another person who has never had chickenpox. In such cases, the person exposed to the virus might develop chickenpox, but they would not develop shingles.”
This happens when blisters are present, but once crusts appear, it cannot be spread. That’s why it is important to cover the rash to reduce the risk of giving others chicken pox.
The good news is that most people only have shingles once in their lives. However, that’s not always the case. Some people can develop the condition two or three times.
There are four things that shingles sufferers should avoid. Though research is limited, it is thought by some that certain foods may inhibit the body’s ability to heal.
Following are those choices.
1. Arginine
Arginine is an amino acid found in protein-rich foods. While it has many health benefits, it just might affect shingles in a negative way.
According to Whole Health Chicago, arginine-rich foods promote the spread of shingles. In other words, arginine just might affect your body’s ability to heal.
Whole Health Chicago says these foods can include: chocolate, almonds, peanuts, gelatin, and some grains, like corn and oats. That said, experts say lysine may counter the effects of arginine.
2. Sugary Foods
Sure, sugary foods make us feel better when we’re sick. But these foods may hurt the body’s ability to fight shingles.
According to Prevention, “Sugar inhibits phagocytosis, the process by which viruses and bacteria are engulfed and then literally chewed up by white blood cells.” So to strengthen the immune system, avoid sugary foods until shingles have passed.
Experts say that part of this may be the nature of sugar itself. “Sugar is a highly inflammatory food. And so this may cause extra inflammation,” says Kristin Lund, a certified health coach specializing in nutrition. “When you’re inflamed with shingles, you don’t want to eat inflammatory foods.”
Instead, replace sugar with stevia. “Stevia is not inflammatory,” Lund says, “But make sure the only ingredient is stevia.”
So if you need a morning cup of coffee, substitute stevia for sugar. And steer clear of sugar-filled ice cream. As an alternative, opt for low-sugar yogurt.
3. Processed Foods
Processed foods often lack the nutrition needed to strengthen the body to fight shingles. In addition, they can be loaded with sugar.
“Shingles is inflammation. Processed foods turn to sugar rapidly in the bloodstream and cause a rise in blood sugar, which is inflammatory,” Lund says. “There are over 60 names used for sugar on labels, so it’s hard to tell when and where you’re getting sugar. That’s why it’s best to avoid processed foods.”
Instead, replace processed foods with natural foods. This will help to strengthen the immune system. Choose fresh meats and nutrient-rich vegetables packed with vitamins.
And watch it with casseroles made with soup. This is a processed food trap that many people fall into. Canned soups are loaded with sodium and unnatural ingredients.
4. Alcohol
We all know that a good alcohol fix can cure pain. But you might want to refrain from this if you’ve got shingles.
Experts say that excess alcohol can compromise the immune system. Studies show that just one binge drinking episode can harm the immune system. Alcohol makes the liver work harder to detoxify the body in general.
That’s why it’s best to avoid excess drinking until shingles pass. This will give the immune system the best chance possible to fight off the virus.