The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are up to one million cases of shingles in the United States every year. About one in three people in the United States will develop shingles at some point in their lifetime. Shingles refers to the reactivation of the dormant herpes varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) after childhood. Various illnesses, aging, trauma, and stress can all activate the virus. 

If you had chickenpox as a child, the shingles virus remains dormant in the body. It can reactivate later in life in the form of the shingles rash, which can occur on any part of the body, but it typically affects small sections. When the virus begins, you may notice pain and itching in the skin before the signature rash appears one or two days later. Typically, small, water-filled blisters accompany the rash. Those blisters eventually rupture, scar, and fade over a few weeks. That process, however, can be very uncomfortable and painful. Other potential symptoms of shingles can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Chills

If you think you have shingles, it’s best to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible, especially if it’s on your face or near the eyes. While there isn’t a cure for shingles, doctors often prescribe antiviral medication to help accelerate recovery and reduce the duration of symptoms. Although an antiviral treatment is very effective, the following home remedies may be able to reduce pain and discomfort. 

Oatmeal Or Baking Soda Baths

The best way to help reduce the pain and severity of shingles is to care for your skin safely as it heals. Soaking in an oatmeal or baking soda bath can soothe the skin if you have a shingles rash. These popular home remedies can help relieve itching, according to doctors. Look for colloidal (or ground) oatmeal or baking soda and add either of those ingredients to cool bath water. Both ingredients work to calm itching and are gentle on the skin. Grinding oat grain into a fine powder makes up colloidal oatmeal, which soothes the skin because it contains beneficial proteins, fats, minerals, and other nutrients. 

Cold Compresses

Applying a cool cloth or compress against the site of the rash may relieve itchiness and reduce inflammation. Lightly soak a natural cotton cloth or towel in cool water and wring it out before you put it on the sore area. Repeat this process as necessary. One thing to remember is that you do not want to expose the skin to extreme temperatures. Avoid the use of ice baths or very hot water. Hot water can increase blood flow and slow down the healing of sores, whereas ice increases skin sensitivity.

Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter, topical, pink lotion that is commonly used to treat mild itchiness, pain, and discomfort. This is a very important note: do not apply calamine lotion to active blisters. The reason for this is because you do not want to cause infection. Only apply calamine lotion once the skin forms scabs over the blisters. That may help soothe the discomfort you feel and reduce the urge to itch your skin, according to dermatologists. 

Modify Your Diet

A healthy diet is integral for helping the body’s systems and organs function optimally. It is best to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains in your diet to vary your nutritional intake. People with shingles should aim to eat more orange, red, and green foods because they contain carotenoids. This group of antioxidants includes zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, and provitamin A, all of which work to enhance immune function. Try to eat more carrots, squash, pumpkin, watermelon, red bell pepper, grapefruit, tomatoes, kale, parsley, spinach, melon, lettuce, and other leafy greens. 

Vaseline

Covering the rash with a thin layer of Vaseline and then a large cotton bandage protects the skin from clothing and other irritants. Speaking of clothing, stick to loose, cotton clothes, especially when you’re on the mend, as that material eases the discomfort. By protecting your rash with Vaseline and a cotton bandage, you help keep others safe. Shingles is very contagious only while rash blisters appear. When using Vaseline, try to use a plain, unscented variety to avoid irritation.

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A bath is tranquil experience that is beneficial for the mind and body. Whether you need to decompress from the chaos of life or relieve muscle soreness, a bath can help you achieve those desires. There’s so much more a bath can be, though. Why not take your bath to the next level? Learn how you can help promote natural detoxification by soaking in a bath with a few simple ingredients. 

Why Should You Have A Detox Bath? 

There are many benefits to soaking in a detox bath. Many people are of the mind that you don’t need them unless you have toxins in the body. Well, most people have toxins in their bodies, but that’s not why you should have a detox bath. Detox baths work to promote muscle relaxation by relieving pain and tension. They can also help you unwind, which can lead to better quality sleep. Additionally, detox baths can improve circulation and enhance the overall appearance of the skin. 

What are the active ingredients in this detox bath recipe? It may surprise you to learn that you only need three ingredients: baking soda, Epsom salt, and lavender essential oil. The aroma of lavender essential oil is very calming and helps to relax sore muscles. Baking soda and Epsom salt are the real stars of this detox bath, though. You can read more about them below. 

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt looks like table salt, but it’s a completely different compound. Table salt is sodium chloride and Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Medical reports state that the magnesium and sulfate in Epsom salt work to naturally draw out toxins from the body. This allows for home detoxification that is both easy and affordable. Additionally, the body can easily absorb the magnesium from Epsom salt. Since a high percentage of people tend to have lower levels of magnesium, this is great news. A 2004 study found that soaking in an Epsom salt bath worked to increase magnesium levels, soften the skin, reduce inflammation, relieve muscle tension, and reduce stress. 

Baking Soda

Most people don’t think to light some fragrant candles by a bath that contains baking soda. Believe it or not, there are myriad reasons to add baking soda to your bath. If you feel sluggish, baking soda is the perfect bath time ingredient to help promote detoxification. Upon absorption, the body uses it to help boost immunity and eliminate excess toxins that have built up in the system. Baking soda also works to naturally soothe the skin, which is beneficial for people with eczema or other itchy skin conditions. Lastly, combining baking soda with Epsom salt in a bath is a great way to soothe sore muscles. Many experts recommend this duo because they work to accelerate recovery. 

DIY Detox Bath

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 1 cup baking soda
• 20 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the Epsom salt and baking soda to a glass bowl and mix gently.
• Drop the essential oil in the same bowl and mix to incorporate. 
• Divide the mixture in half and store in two separate glass jars. Store in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use. 

How To Use:

• After you draw a warm bath, add one jar of the mixture and stir with you hand to help it dissolve. 
• After a few minutes, soak in the bath and relax. It’s beneficial to soak in this bath for at least 20 minutes. 

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There’s nothing like entering a steam room and feeling immediate relief from congestion upon taking your first deep breath. The peppermint and eucalyptus, combined with the steam, help to calm the mind, relieve stress, and provide relief from colds or sinus troubles. Imagine if you could have that relief whenever you wanted, without leaving the house. As it turns out, you can.

Shower bombs, which are similar to bath bombs, fill the shower with pungent aromas from whichever essential oils that you put in them. This article focuses on shower bombs that contain peppermint essential oil, which is an excellent choice if you are feeling under the weather. Peppermint essential oil has the reputation of being one of the most versatile, beneficial oils out there, making it a great candidate for these shower bombs.

Tips For Making Shower Bombs

When you decide to make shower bombs, silicone molds will make your life so much easier. The flexibility of silicone molds allows for easy removal of the shower bombs, once they have hardened. This recipe uses peppermint essential oil, but you can use a combination of other oils that pique your interest. If you use a combination of three oils, only use 1-2 drops per oil. A great trio of oils is eucalyptus, cinnamon, and rosemary.

Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint has expectorant properties, helping to open airways, reduce congestion, clear out mucus, and reduce the pain of a sore throat. It also works to unclog sinuses by relaxing the muscles in the nasal passages. Additionally, peppermint essential oil helps to improve circulation to the brain, providing relief from tension headaches. The cooling sensation also helps to reduce nausea, and you may even find that these peppermint shower bombs help to relax sore muscles and reduce joint pain.

Benefits Of Baking Soda

Baking soda has many uses outside the kitchen, and it is a common ingredient in DIY beauty products. While you won’t be scrubbing these shower bombs on your body to reap the exfoliating properties of baking soda, your toenails will be absorbing the antifungal properties, which help to ward off nail fungus or infections. Try to purchase aluminum-free baking soda for the best results. One thing to keep in mind about baking soda is that too much is not good for your skin, especially sensitive skin. Don’t use these shower bombs in excess; allow at least a couple days between each use.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup filtered water
• 6 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1 cup baking soda

Instructions:

• Combine the water and peppermint essential oil in small bowl and stir gently. Add the baking soda to a separate medium bowl and slowly pour in the water mixture, whisking as you pour. The goal is to have a dry, thick paste, but you can add a little more water if it is too dry.
• Spoon the paste into silicone molds and make sure that you pack them in to help them set. Let them dry completely at room temperature. This may take one or two days.
• Carefully remove the shower bombs from the molds and store them in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
• When ready to use, place the peppermint shower bomb in the corner of your shower once the water is hot. It will slowly start to break down as the water hits it. This is when you will smell the beautiful peppermint aroma.

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Everybody needs sun exposure to absorb vitamin D, but nobody has time for the lobster life. We understand that you may not want to lather up in sunscreen all day, and we don’t blame you because many varieties contain chemicals and harm coral reefs, but you also don’t want awkward tan lines, peeling skin, or sun blisters.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), a sunburn has more long-term damage than you may realize. It’s not a color that will inevitably fade; rather, a damaging sunburn that results in blisters during childhood or adolescence can double the chances of developing melanoma. Additionally, repeated exposure to ultraviolet light, without taking proper skin protecting measures, increases the risk of premature aging and skin cancer.

The good news is that a lot of home remedies can accelerate the healing process and reduce the sting or discomfort of sunburns. Some of the best natural remedies that will save your skin after too much time in the sun are listed below.

Baking Soda Bath

Baking soda has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce the itchiness and redness of sunburns. Take a half-cup of baking soda and stir it into a lukewarm bath and soak in the bath for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can draw a bath and stir 2-4 cups of finely ground oats, 1 cup of baking soda, and 1 cup of evaporated milk, all of which help to fight inflammation.

Apply Aloe Vera

First off, get some fresh aloe vera and avoid using the bottled aloe vera gel, which often contains alcohol and can dry out the skin. You want maximum hydration after a sunburn, so it is recommended to apply the fresh aloe plant directly on the skin. Aloe provides soothing and cooling properties, making it great for sunburnt skin.

Use Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a common ingredient in DIY skin care and hair care recipes, but it can be beneficial for soothing sunburns. The reason for this is because it contains tannins, which work to repair damaged skin and decrease swelling. If too much fun in the sun left you looking like a lobster, witch hazel is a great solution. Pour about three tablespoons of witch hazel into a bowl, dip a cotton ball in it, and gently dab the cotton ball on sunburnt skin.

Make Sure To Hydrate

It is common for sunburnt victims to experience dehydration because the sunburn draws fluid away from the rest of the body and to the skin. Replenish your fluids by consuming lots of water, not soda, not caffeine, and definitely not alcohol. The reason you should avoid alcohol after a sunburn is because it can slow the healing process by dehydrating the body even more.

Mist With Frankincense Oil

Essential oils like peppermint and tea tree work wonders for the skin, and they often overshadow the skin-regenerating properties of frankincense essential oil. Frankincense can help to reduce the pain of a sunburn and can accelerate the healing process. To make a sunburn relief spray, add 8-15 drops of frankincense essential oil to a spray bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with filtered water. Mist the affected area to promote healing.

Mist With Lavender Oil

Once upon a time in early 20^th century France, a chemist discovered the healing properties of lavender. He wasn’t the first person to realize these properties; rather, he accidentally dunked his hand into a large bowl of lavender oil after severely burning his hand. To his surprise, the burn healed quickly! Lavender essential oil can have the same healing effects on sunburnt skin. Mix one teaspoon of lavender and two ounces of filtered water in a spray bottle. Shake this up and mist onto the sunburn as needed.

Try White Vinegar

Acetic acid, which works to relieve pain, is a component of aspirin, but you don’t need to take aspirin when you have distilled white vinegar. Don’t drink the stuff; rather, soak some paper towels in the vinegar and gently pat sunburnt skin to help reduce itching and inflammation. If the face is burnt, avoid the eye area because vinegar in the eyes is worse than the pain of your sunburn. You can also pour one cup of distilled white vinegar in a tepid bath and soak for 20 minutes.

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