Shingles is a painful and uncomfortable condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you are suffering from this painful condition, you may be looking for ways to find relief. One option that may be worth considering is using CBD salve. CBD salve is a topical treatment that uses the power of cannabidiol (CBD) to soothe the pain and discomfort of shingles. In this article, we will explore how CBD salve can be used to help treat shingles, as well as the potential benefits and risks associated with its use. We’ll also discuss how to choose the right CBD salve for your needs.
What are the active ingredients in a CBD salve for shingles?
The active ingredients in a CBD salve for shingles typically include CBD oil, beeswax, essential oils, and other natural emollients. These ingredients are known to help reduce inflammation, pain, itching, and other symptoms associated with shingles. Additionally, because CBD is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce discomfort and promote healing.
Is a CBD salve for shingles effective in reducing the pain and discomfort associated with shingles?
CBD salves may help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with shingles by reducing inflammation and providing topical relief. Research suggests that CBD may help reduce the symptoms of shingles, including pain, burning, itching, and tingling. However, more research is needed to confirm CBD’s efficacy in treating shingles. As with any medical treatment, it is important to talk to your doctor before using any CBD products.
How often should CBD salve be applied to shingles?
CBD salve should be applied to shingles two to three times a day. It should be applied to the affected areas and rubbed in until it is fully absorbed. It is important to remember to wash your hands after each application. Additionally, it is recommended to consult a doctor before using CBD salve to treat shingles.
Is a CBD salve for shingles safe to use on children?
CBD salve for shingles is generally considered safe to use on children, as it is a non-psychoactive topical application. However, it is important to consult a physician before using any CBD product on children, as they may have different reactions than adults.
Are there any potential side effects to using a CBD salve for shingles?
Yes, there are potential side effects to using a CBD salve for shingles. These may include skin irritation, redness, burning, itching, or dryness. It is important to discuss any potential side effects with a doctor before using a CBD salve for shingles. Additionally, it is important to note that some people may be allergic to CBD, so it is important to be aware of any potential reactions.
CBD is one of hundreds of chemical compounds found within the cannabis sativa or hemp plant, and the scientific community is just beginning to understand its potential for therapeutic use. Both conditions are caused by the varicella zoster virus. Once the initial chickenpox infection clears, the virus remains dormant within the bodyusually within nerve cellsuntil activated by stress or other environmental factors. When this activation occurs, the person develops shingles, a medical condition most characterized by a painful rash that can occur anywhere on the body, though it often wraps around one side of the torso. The infection also may bring with it itchy blisters, fever, chills, headache, intense pain, an upset stomach, and an overall increased sensitivity to touch. Shingles affects roughly one million Americans each year, and the medical community estimates that roughly one in three people who contracted chickenpox as a child will later develop shingles. In fact, CB1 and CB2 receptors can be found on the shingles rash. Years of treatment records also show that conventional pain relief medication has proven largely ineffective against the symptoms of shinglesthe varicella zoster virus causes damage to nerve endings necessary for most painkillers to work. Thankfully, successfully activating the CB1 receptor may cause a significant reduction in neuroinflammation. In addition, CBD is well known for its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. In fact, a review of studies suggests that cannabis-based medications may help ease chronic nerve pain. The cannabinoids inherent in CBD oil are known to have potent anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the number of inflammatory chemicals in the body. Much of the shingles pain, itching, and overall discomfort is directly related to inflammation, so managing this inflammation remains a key element of effectively managing the symptoms of shingles. In addition to using cannabis oil to fight the inflammation associated with shingles, conventional treatment may also include taking over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or receiving corticosteroid injections. Current treatment for shingles may include prescription of antiviral drugs, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir. While these types of drugs may help shorten the duration of infection, none is a cure for shingles, nor will any of them treat its symptoms or make patients more comfortable. However, one recent article in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research has suggested that CBD has potential to treat viral infections such as hepatitis C. However, there is not enough clinical evidence to confirm this hypothesis. More testing is necessary, though, to determine both the efficacy and the mechanism of action CBD may employ against viral infections. The itching that accompanies a case of shingles can be excruciating for some patientsand scratching that itchy rash may lead to open sores that are even more uncomfortable. In worst cases, scratching the shingles rash can lead to a skin infection. But there is some evidence that the topical application of CBD oil could provide relief. In fact, CBD is often applied topically as an oil or cream to treat other skin conditions, like eczema, which also itching and skin irritation. When applied directly to the skin, cannabis oil interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the epidermis and may offer several benefits, including moisturizing the skin and reducing both itchiness and inflammation. In addition to the itching sensation and rash, many shingles patients can experience intense pain, which in many cases is nerve pain. In fact, in many cases, severe shingles pain is the first symptom patients notice before developing a shingles rash, and some shingles patients even experience this type of nerve pain long after the initial shingles rash has disappeared. This is known as postherpetic neuralgia. With a shingles infection, nerve fibers are often damaged, meaning they cant send messages from the skin to the brain as they normally would. Instead, messages become confused and exaggerated, which can cause excruciating nerve pain. Conventional pain-relief treatments for shingles include opiate painkillers, lidocaine numbing cream, or capsaicin topical patches. But a healthy body of research has shown that CBD oil can be effective in treating various types of nerve pain largely because of its effect on the endocannabinoid system. Although studies do not address the use of CBD oil to treat shingles specifically, it is within reason to expect that CBD may have a positive effect on managing shingles pain. For example, one recent study found that CBD products were effective at reducing neuropathic pain, which comes from nerve damage, in patients treated with chemotherapy drugs. These drugs can negatively affect nerve cells, much like a case of shingles can, resulting in chronic nerve pain.