Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEmotionalPhysicalSocialPracticalFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Shingles GuideCaregiving for Someone With Shingles
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Emotional
Physical
Social
Practical
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Shingles Guide
Shinglescan be itchy and/or painful for weeks—sometimes months—at a time, making coping with thesymptomsan important part of any treatment plan.
When given early, anti-viral therapy can lessen complications from shingles, but there are things you can do to relieve the physical pain and emotionalstress of shingles, too, including meditation and other relaxation techniques.
Nusha Ashjaee / Verywell
Being in a lot of pain or feeling constantly itchy can be a challenging experience, and that stress can actually make the pain more intense, which can lead to more stress, and so on.Keeping frazzled nerves at bay is key to breaking that vicious cycle.
Some strategies shown to help people reduce stress include meditation, getting plenty of rest, and exercise.
Meditation
While studies are somewhat mixed on how effective meditation might be (if at all) at reducing pain itself, research has shown it to be quite good at reducing stress and that can be a helpful tool to manage pain—even if it doesn’t make it go away. For this reason, it’s been used to help reduce stress in a wide range of individuals who experience physical or emotional pain, including those with cancer or depression.
While the word “meditation” might conjure up images of sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed and fingers touching, there are actually a lot of different ways to meditate. The important thing is to find what works for you. That being said, most meditation methods include the following steps:
Sleep
Everyone needs sleep to recharge our bodies, but rest is especially important during times of illness.
Most health experts recommend getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep a night, though some people might need more or less—especially if they aren’t feeling well.Not getting enough hours of quality shut-eye can affect how quickly the body can repair itself and leave you feeling tired and irritable. Like the stress-pain cycle, sleep deprivation can lead to stress and that stress can make it harder to sleep, potentially leading to a downward spiral that could impact how quickly you recover when sick.
Getting enough sleep (at least seven hours per night) is an important part not just for managing your stress levels but also for helping ensure yourimmune systemhas the energy it needs to fight back against the varicella-zoster virus, the pathogen thatcauses shingles.
Exercise
The rash and blisters associated with shingles can be highly uncomfortable. On top of the itchiness, shingles can be physically painful, causing pain or burning at the site of the rash, as well as headaches and extreme sensitivity.
For most people, over-the-counter medications and home remedies can be used to manage these symptoms effectively.
Verywell / Jessica OlahOwner
Itchiness
Scratching a shingles rash can put you at risk for developing a secondary skin infection or inadvertently spreading the virus to other people. To avoid scratching or picking at the rash or blisters, try using one or more of the following methods to manage itchiness:
Keep the area clean using soap and warm (but not hot) water. All sheets and clothing that touch your open sores should be washed in hot water, and used bandages should be thrown away immediately.
Pain and Sensitivity Management
For some individuals, the pain associated with shingles can get pretty intense, and increased sensitivity can make even a cool breeze feel excruciating. To manage discomfort, try using one of the following methods, or combine them to find what works for you.
For those with severe pain or postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)—a complication from shingles that can cause long-term pain—these coping strategies might not be enough. In those instances, healthcare providers might recommend using medications such as gabapentin or pregabalin to manage the pain.
It should be noted, however, that these medications should only be used under the careful direction of a trained medical professional because of thepotential for side effectsand risk of addiction or overdose.
Maintaining strong social ties has been shown to improve health a number of ways, including helping with pain management.Similarly, social isolation can diminish immunity, potentially making it easier to get sick and harder to recover when you do. While you might not feel up to attending parties or going to crowded spaces (an unwise decision if you’re actively contagious anyway) there are still things you can do to maintain your social health while sick or recovering.
Finding loved ones you can talk to about the pain or distract you from what you’re feeling can be helpful in coping with the stress or physical discomfort associated with shingles. Roughly a third of people in the United States will get shingles at least once in their lifetime, making it likely that you already know someone who has gone through a similar experience and can empathize.
In addition to your already established social network, online support groups can be great places, too, to talk about your experience with others who have been in similar situations. But while these groups can offer comfort and encouragement, they aren’t the right place to ask for medical advice. If you have questions or concerns about your specific symptoms or treatment plan, you should always refer them to your healthcare provider.
Shingles Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Download PDF
Email AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Sign Up
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
The physical discomfort from shingles can be disruptive, at times keeping you from doing routine tasks that are important for daily life. If that happens, it’s important to know what options might be available to you while you recover.
Work Considerations
Unlike a cold or stomach bug, shingles can sometimes last for weeks, which can be challenging for employees who don’t have enough sick leave saved up or any sick leave at all at their jobs.
Talk to your healthcare provider about when can safely return to work and what precautions you should take if you do. If possible, try to avoid being around pregnant women or small children while you have blisters or open sores, as it could increase your chances of spreading the virus to them.
Talk to your boss or human resources department for more information about whether short-term disability coverage could be an option for you and what steps you’d need to take to secure it.
Personal Tasks
If you’re unable to perform routine tasks for yourself like cooking, cleaning, or getting groceries, try to recruit family or friends to help you while you recover. Loved ones eager to help might not know what you need them to do, so be proactive with requesting assistance if you need it.
Shingles pain,rash, itching, and other symptoms typically clear up within three to five weeks. You should not have any scars or other lasting complications.You could, however, have a recurrence: A 2011 study of more than 1,700 people who had shingles found that 5% developed the disease again within eight years, on average.
See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice symptoms. There’s evidence that when shingles treatment—antiviral medicationsplus pain relievers such as Advil (ibuprofen)—is started within 72 hours of the beginning of a rash, the disease is less likely to be severe or prolonged. Swift treatment also lowers the risk of complications.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following tips for dealing with shingles skin symptoms:During the initial rash: Gently wash the area with an unscented cleanser, slick on a thin layer of pure petroleum jelly, and cover with a fresh, non-stick bandage.For severe pain: Apply cool compresses to affected skin for five to 10 minutes at a time or soak in an oatmeal bath.After blisters scab over: Apply calamine lotion to ease itching.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following tips for dealing with shingles skin symptoms:
No. Very rarely, someone may develop a complication from shingles, such aspneumonia, that could increase the risk of death, but the disease itself is not fatal.
Caregiving for Someone With Shingles
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ahmad AH, Zakaria R.Pain in times of stress.Malays J Med Sci. 2015;22(Spec Issue):52-61.Marchand WR.Mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and Zen meditation for depression, anxiety, pain, and psychological distress.J Psychiatr Pract. 2012;18(4):233-52. doi:10.1097/01.pra.0000416014.53215.86Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al.Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American academy of sleep medicine and sleep research society.Sleep. 2015;38(6):843-4. doi:10.5665/sleep.4716Besedovsky L, Lange T, Born J.Sleep and immune function.Pflugers Arch. 2012;463(1):121-37. doi:10.1007/s00424-011-1044-0National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).Ardigo S, Herrmann FR, Moret V, et al.Hypnosis can reduce pain in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study.BMC Geriatr. 2016;16:14. doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0180-ySturgeon JA, Zautra AJ.Social pain and physical pain: shared paths to resilience.Pain Manag. 2016;6(1):63-74. doi:10.2217/pmt.15.56Cleveland Clinic.Shingles.Yawn BP, Wollan PC, Kurland MJ, et al.Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(2):88-93. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0618Jeon YH.Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: practical consideration for prevention and treatment.Korean J Pain. 2015;28(3):177-184. doi:10.3344/kjp.2015.28.3.177Mallick-Searle T, Snodgrass B, Brant JM.Postherpetic neuralgia: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and pain management pharmacology.J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016;9:447-454. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S106340American Academy of Dermatology.Shingles: Tips for managing shingles.New York Department of Health.Shingles.Additional ReadingMedlinePlus.Shingles - aftercare.National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Stanford Health Care.Management of Pain without Medications.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ahmad AH, Zakaria R.Pain in times of stress.Malays J Med Sci. 2015;22(Spec Issue):52-61.Marchand WR.Mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and Zen meditation for depression, anxiety, pain, and psychological distress.J Psychiatr Pract. 2012;18(4):233-52. doi:10.1097/01.pra.0000416014.53215.86Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al.Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American academy of sleep medicine and sleep research society.Sleep. 2015;38(6):843-4. doi:10.5665/sleep.4716Besedovsky L, Lange T, Born J.Sleep and immune function.Pflugers Arch. 2012;463(1):121-37. doi:10.1007/s00424-011-1044-0National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).Ardigo S, Herrmann FR, Moret V, et al.Hypnosis can reduce pain in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study.BMC Geriatr. 2016;16:14. doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0180-ySturgeon JA, Zautra AJ.Social pain and physical pain: shared paths to resilience.Pain Manag. 2016;6(1):63-74. doi:10.2217/pmt.15.56Cleveland Clinic.Shingles.Yawn BP, Wollan PC, Kurland MJ, et al.Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(2):88-93. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0618Jeon YH.Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: practical consideration for prevention and treatment.Korean J Pain. 2015;28(3):177-184. doi:10.3344/kjp.2015.28.3.177Mallick-Searle T, Snodgrass B, Brant JM.Postherpetic neuralgia: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and pain management pharmacology.J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016;9:447-454. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S106340American Academy of Dermatology.Shingles: Tips for managing shingles.New York Department of Health.Shingles.Additional ReadingMedlinePlus.Shingles - aftercare.National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Stanford Health Care.Management of Pain without Medications.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ahmad AH, Zakaria R.Pain in times of stress.Malays J Med Sci. 2015;22(Spec Issue):52-61.Marchand WR.Mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and Zen meditation for depression, anxiety, pain, and psychological distress.J Psychiatr Pract. 2012;18(4):233-52. doi:10.1097/01.pra.0000416014.53215.86Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al.Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American academy of sleep medicine and sleep research society.Sleep. 2015;38(6):843-4. doi:10.5665/sleep.4716Besedovsky L, Lange T, Born J.Sleep and immune function.Pflugers Arch. 2012;463(1):121-37. doi:10.1007/s00424-011-1044-0National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).Ardigo S, Herrmann FR, Moret V, et al.Hypnosis can reduce pain in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study.BMC Geriatr. 2016;16:14. doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0180-ySturgeon JA, Zautra AJ.Social pain and physical pain: shared paths to resilience.Pain Manag. 2016;6(1):63-74. doi:10.2217/pmt.15.56Cleveland Clinic.Shingles.Yawn BP, Wollan PC, Kurland MJ, et al.Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(2):88-93. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0618Jeon YH.Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: practical consideration for prevention and treatment.Korean J Pain. 2015;28(3):177-184. doi:10.3344/kjp.2015.28.3.177Mallick-Searle T, Snodgrass B, Brant JM.Postherpetic neuralgia: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and pain management pharmacology.J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016;9:447-454. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S106340American Academy of Dermatology.Shingles: Tips for managing shingles.New York Department of Health.Shingles.
Ahmad AH, Zakaria R.Pain in times of stress.Malays J Med Sci. 2015;22(Spec Issue):52-61.
Marchand WR.Mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and Zen meditation for depression, anxiety, pain, and psychological distress.J Psychiatr Pract. 2012;18(4):233-52. doi:10.1097/01.pra.0000416014.53215.86
Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al.Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American academy of sleep medicine and sleep research society.Sleep. 2015;38(6):843-4. doi:10.5665/sleep.4716
Besedovsky L, Lange T, Born J.Sleep and immune function.Pflugers Arch. 2012;463(1):121-37. doi:10.1007/s00424-011-1044-0
National Institute on Aging.Shingles.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).
Ardigo S, Herrmann FR, Moret V, et al.Hypnosis can reduce pain in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study.BMC Geriatr. 2016;16:14. doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0180-y
Sturgeon JA, Zautra AJ.Social pain and physical pain: shared paths to resilience.Pain Manag. 2016;6(1):63-74. doi:10.2217/pmt.15.56
Cleveland Clinic.Shingles.
Yawn BP, Wollan PC, Kurland MJ, et al.Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported.Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(2):88-93. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0618
Jeon YH.Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: practical consideration for prevention and treatment.Korean J Pain. 2015;28(3):177-184. doi:10.3344/kjp.2015.28.3.177
Mallick-Searle T, Snodgrass B, Brant JM.Postherpetic neuralgia: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and pain management pharmacology.J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016;9:447-454. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S106340
American Academy of Dermatology.Shingles: Tips for managing shingles.
New York Department of Health.Shingles.
MedlinePlus.Shingles - aftercare.National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Stanford Health Care.Management of Pain without Medications.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
