Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox may develop shingles later in life, as the virus lies dormant in the nerve tissues and can reactivate years later. One peculiar symptom many patients notice is that their shingles pain feels worse at night. But what could be the reason behind this? This article will discuss this topic and explore how essential oils could alleviate this pain.
Table of contents
Shingles Pain
Before unearthing the reason behind the worsening of shingles pain at night, it’s crucial to understand what causes pain during its onset. The virus travels down nerve fibers, and the ensuing immune response and inflammation in these areas bring about the symptoms of pain and discomfort.
Why is shingles pain worse at night?
Shingles pain can be more intense during the night due to several factors:
Distractions are few
During the day, various physical and mental activities distract the brain. This distraction keeps your mind busy focusing on other things than pain, making the pain more tolerable. However, when these activities start to wind down in the evening, your awareness shifts back to the pain, making it more noticeable and intense.
Fluctuation in body temperature
The body’s core temperature drops during the night. This decline may impact the nerves since nerve pain often gets worse at night.
Change in hormone levels
Cortisol, referred to as the stress hormone, helps regulate inflammation. The levels of this hormone drop at night, which might increase inflammation and the pain it causes.
Essential oils for shingles pain relief
There is no cure for shingles, but treating the symptoms, like pain and inflammation, can help you function more easily and comfortably. Thanks to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, essential oils can offer symptomatic relief. Here are some potent essential oils you can consider for shingles pain relief:
Arnica Essential Oil
Arnica oil possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic attributes. These properties of arnica may help reduce inflammation and pain when you apply arnica essential oil topically.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense has strong properties against inflammation and pain that people has been using for centuries in alternative medicine. Additionally, it provides a soothing effect that potentially assists with itching.
Cypress Essential Oil
Research studies show cypress has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It has been employed in traditional medicine to soothe diverse conditions.
Tea tree Oil
Tea tree oil is renowned for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can offer considerable relief to the manifestations associated with inflammation, including itchiness and swelling.
See related: Canadian skin care products for pain management
Using the Powers of Nature in Soothing Juggernaut for Shingles Pain Relief
You must use essential oils correctly and safely to achieve optimal efficacy where they are concerned. You must dilute them with a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation.
However, with products like the Soothing Juggernaut salve from CANhaveTODAY , the essential oils are conveniently pre-diluted and mixed with all-natural beneficial skin care ingredients ready for direct application. Soothing Juggernaut is a blend of arnica, frankincense, cypress, tea tree oil, and many other powerful all-natural ingredients. This salve can help you not just with pain relief and inflammation, but also by protecting your skin from further infection, shielding it from damage, and giving it natural nourishment—an all-around care!
CANhaveTODAY formulated Soothing Juggernaut after careful and extensive research with ingredients suitable for all skin types. However, as always, it is advised to consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment approach.
The effects of shingles, especially at night, can indeed create significant discomfort. However, with the correct treatment plan recommended by a physician and adjunct remedies like CANhaveTODAY’s Soothing Juggernaut fortified with essential oils, you can alleviate your symptoms and make having shingles more bearable.
FAQ
Shingles pain is worse at night because you are less distracted, your body temperature decreases, and your stress hormone level decreases. Less distractions make you focus more on the pain, decreased body temperature makes nerve pain worse, and fewer stress hormones mean fewer regulators of inflammation.
Over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve shingles pain. Topical essential oils can also help. However, remember that shingles virus is very contagious, so you must wear gloves or use cotton swab to avoid touching your blisters directly, then dispose properly and safely after use.
Essential oils derived from arnica, frankincense, cypress, and tea tree are good for shingles. These essential oils possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help reduce pain.
Related resources
