h e a r t s c e n t
SHINGLES SUPPORT
It is easy to feel alone when you are dealing with shingles. It is a painful and frightening experience. We can find comfort in others. Essential oils compliment good medical care and may provide the support needed to deal with the stress, anxiety and discomfort of shingles.
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h e a r t s c e n t
BASICS
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Shingles (herpes zoster) is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox — the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles is most common in older adults or those who have a weak immune system due to stress, injury, certain medications including chemotherapy.
Shingles symptoms happen in stages.
- first you may have a headache or be sensitive to light
- flu like symptoms, but not have a fever
- feel itching, tingling, or pain in a certain area
- a few days later a band, strip, or small area of rash may occur
- the rash turns into clusters of fluid filled blisters that will crust over in 3-5 days (this may or may not involve burning, itching nerve pain)
- it takes 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal (they may leave scars)
- In some occasions nerve pain may continue after blisters have healed
You can’t catch shingles from someone else who has shingles. But there is a small chance that a person with a shingles rash can spread the virus to another person (including children) who hasn’t had chickenpox. Once the rash has developed crusts (3-5 days), the person is no longer contagious.
If you think you may have shingles. It’s best to get early treatment which can help your symptoms get better sooner. And if you have shingles near your eye or nose, see your health care provider right away.
For more information from the CDC – www.cdc.gov/shingles/
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h e a r t s c e n t
IMMUNE SUPPORT
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The best way to deal with, or better yet prevent illness is to SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM before there is a problem. Here are a few common sense items to work on:
- Don’t smoke.
- EAT WELL – reduce or eliminate sugars, shop around the outside of the grocery store READ MORE
- Drink plenty of WATER
- Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy weight.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
- Get adequate sleep. READ MORE
- Take steps to avoid infection
- Wash hands often
- Use natural supports
- Increase Vitamin C naturally during cold/flu season (lemon in water etc)
- Elderberry
- Avoid sick people (easier said then done:)
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h e a r t s c e n t
NATURAL SUPPORT
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MELISSA Shingles Support Spray
- aloe vera*, essential oils: melissa*, st johns wort*, ravintsara*, lavender* – *certified organic
- SHAKE Before Each Use: APPLY four times daily or as needed for relief. The spray gel is best when the blisters are too painful to touch.
- 2 oz amber PP bottle with spray pump
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MELISSA – Shingles Support Oil
- st johns wort infused oil*, vitamin e, essential oils*; melissa*, st johns wort*, ravintsara*, lavender* – *certified organic
- At the first sign of discomfort, apply gently to the affected area two to four times a day for five days or as needed for comfort.
- 1 oz amber glass bottle with treatment pump
FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT – Essential Oil Rollers OR BASICS OF EMOTIONS
*For educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
