08/25/2010: Natasha from Los Angeles, Ca replies: "I was 13 when I was diagnosed with my first outbreak of shingles. In the States herpes is diagnosed as type I and type II. My blood tests recently confirmed that I contracted both types, at different stages of my life. For the past twenty years I get burning sensation almost every month just around my period. I also get it almost guaranteed when I am stressed out, tired, or about to come down with a cold. It almost looks like we can't live without each other anymore. And, just to show how easy it is to activate the virus - last week I got a small patch of burnt skin from sun over exposure, and sure enough, my "friend" followed shortly after. In a way I consider myself lucky only because I rarely experience blisters, maybe up to twice a year. More often I get the burning and itching sensation that can last for days and up to a few weeks at worst. This time I got blisters before I realized what was coming. I wear a loose shirt and I cover the affected area so that I don't get to touch it by accident. I am aware that I am contagious these days, thus I avoid physical touch with my husband, to protect him from getting infected. All the affected clothing, towels and bedding is washed in hot water and bleached, to further prevent possible contamination. My doc tried me initially with pills that made me feel as sick as I could imagine. Then I got switched to new medicine that seems to work ok. I only need to take it for one day, and while it doesn't reverse the first signs, it seems to be helpful with decreased number of recurrences. I went from about 10-12 annual occurrences down to 4-5, which is for me a great improvement. I have not tried any natural remedy described here, but I am aware of ACV's effectiveness with all sorts of medical issues, not just with shingles. I will most positively give it a try as soon as possible. After two decades of suffering I believe it's about time to send my friend for some vaccation."

[YEA]  05/10/2011: Katherine from Asheville, Nc replies: "Apple Cider Vinegar for Shingles.

Thanks to this site, used Apple Cider Vinegar very successfully. Cold compresses for 1/2 hour at a time, 1 part ACV to 2-3 parts water. Leave the ACV on for about an hour after, then rinse and then used an oil from my Chinese acupuncture clinic (not as effective as ACV, but good for soothing and healing). Do this as 4-5 times a day. Also used acupuncture and homeopathic remedies included arnica, belladonna and rhus tox. I worked with a homeopath who helped me figure out what I needed when. I also took the antiviral Acly (whatever it's called... Finished it and threw out the bottle... normally hate meds and only go natural but worked with everything I could to alleviate this condition).

Also took Lysine, vitamins and herbs... everything I could to strengthen my immune system.

Also, muscle tightness in my back (outbreak was on my chest and back) was intense. Did lots of breathing and stretching exercises to keep the energy moving, even when it was painful. Carefully worked thru the pain.

Got thru what my acupuncturist said was a pretty severe reaction pretty quickly... Again, thanks primarily to ACV and this site. Really grateful."

[YEA]  05/30/2011: Breizhbabe from Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, Uk replies: "Hi, When our children had chicken pox, which is the same virus as shingles - to ease the pain of the blisters we were advised to put some oats in a muslin cloth, tie it and place it in the bath. This produces a milk which bathes the sores and soothes. I tried this last year when I had shingles for the first time and it was very soothing. I also put calamine lotion onto the spots (you can also use this for sunburn). I currently have shingles and I think they have affected my scalp. When I wash my hair I put one drop of tea tree oil into the final rinse water and this has soothed the scalp. I wonder whether peppermint might also help. Now I have read the article on apple cider vinegar will try that. You can buy organic apple cider that isn't that much more expensive."

12/21/2011: Ja from Burlington, Vt replies: "I think I may have shingles, though not 100% sure. It is some kind of rash. Began as a light pink 1" round spot on my left upper thigh--almost hip level. Next day the same thing on the other side and they both grow more red and splotchy. If I look very close there seems to be a tiny little head. Then same thing on my left ankle. I apply a 3X antibiotic, Neosporin with no effect. There is no deep pain and very little itching with these three. But for a couple nights my left leg itched like crazy. I realized my skin was rather dry and started using Dermasil lotion on the non-affected areas.

Within a couple days I notice the same thing on my forearm. Within a day I had 5-6 little bumps and in another day my left forearm had 1 or 2. This is war. I applied Betadine to all of them for a week. Still red but seem better with the B drying out the skin very much and some skin peel. Never saw blisters, but I think I may have.

I'm 55 and the last few months have been very stressful and 15 years ago I did get shingles when I was working 2 demanding jobs--stressed. Dr told me to work less. Now some of the spots are a faded brownish color, but I do notice a few very tiny new ones beginning.

I'm going to try this ACV treatment and let you know if it does any good. Right now I'm drinking a couple TBS in my ice tea."

12/23/2011: Ja8877 from Burlington, Vt replies: "I am nearly positive this is shingles now but the symptoms etc are confusing. I've had very little pain, the little pain I get is usually in the evening and I have the urge to scratch. On a pain or discomfort level it is a 2 out of 10. It's on both of my forearms which is strange. I've called a few Dr's and they are all too busy and tell me to go to the Hospital Emergency. That shingles are very serious and I need immediate medical attention. Really no help there.

I have 2 full days of ACV now and the jury is not in yet. I use it diluted, but strong as a half hour compress which does help and feels much better. After the half hour compress I daub with cotton ball full strength. I do this 2 or 3 times per day and I drink about 4 oz per day diluted with water. I've also used calamine lotion on some areas as a test to see if it does help. And yes calamine lotion does help.

I can definitely say the ACV does help, to what extent I am not sure, but I think fairly significant. I'm sure I'd be in worse shape without it. I've also increased my vitamins, like C and B Complex and take an oral anti-histamine daily.

Since it's a virus I'm just going to let it run it's course and manage it. If I feel pain or if it spreads to my face I'll find a Dr who is not too busy. I did have shingles about 18 years ago--but I knew what it was as soon as I saw it and it was extremely painful--this is mild--so far."

[YEA]  12/26/2011: Ja from Burlington, Vt replies: "Follow-up. YEA! ACV is a big help. I can definitely say that over the last 5 days ACV has drastically helped alleviate my shingles. The first few days the skin on both arms were a flaming scarlet red with little dots appearing like crazy. For the first few days I diluted the ACV with about 2-3 parts water and would use a compress for about 40 minutes, 2-3X per day and then daub with full strength. The first day I used a full strength compress and my skin was really irritated from that.

I then would daub any new little red dots with calamine lotion and that over the course of a couple days dried them up. I was really impressed with the results of the combo of ACV and calamine lotion. Finally yesterday my arms began to return to normal, but it took a few days to get there. The last 2 days my arms are looking so good I only do 1 compress and ACV daub/calamine lotion per day.

My flaming red arms are now retuning to their normal color. I have a few other small areas to deal with--but my arms were the worst. At one point they were flaming red 12"x 4" and I never saw anything so virulent and rapid. I'll list some things I've learned to help you.

1. Dilute the ACV with 2-3 parts water for a long compress. Then daub with full strength.

2. Let dry and apply calamine lotion to any small red dots and let it dry. Wear loose cotton clothing. And drink at least 2 oz per day of ACV per day--dilute with 6 parts or more of water.

3. I would take a Benadryl capsule with antihistamine if there was any itching. Sometimes the itch urge can drive you crazy.

4. I beefed up my vitamins and took a good multi, 2000mg of C, and a B Complex.

5. Wash with cool or tepid water and minimal mild soap. Warm or hot water only aggravates the skin. When you wash you are throwing trauma at your skin.

6. Try to rest and don't eat any junk food. Also no sugar, coffee, choclate, nuts, strawberries and spinach--they will aggravate your skin.

7. Any rash on your face--get to a Dr.

8. Shingles is a virus and will run its course. Once you have it all you can really do is to alleviate the pain and itchiness and keep the shingles from being infected and to reduce the dots as fast as you can. ACV with calamine worked for me."

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