What Are The Red Light Therapy Benefits For Shingle Treatment?

Shingles affects an estimated three out of five people in every 1000 each year worldwide. Traditional medications such as Acyclovir, Famciclovir, and Valacyclovir help treat and control the outbreak. However, many doctors will prescribe additional medication to alleviate the pain associated with the condition which can persist months or years after the rash has resolved. Despite these, pain and inflammation can linger - leading patients to seek alternative therapies for relief. 

One emerging option is red light therapy, a non-invasive and drug-free approach that has gained traction not only for its ability to reduce pain but also to accelerate healing. In this article, the team at ROJO Light Therapy NZ will explore the red light therapy benefits for shingle treatment. 

Understanding Shingles

Shingles or herpes zoster is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the very same virus that causes chickenpox. After a chickenpox infection, this virus remains in the body, staying dormant in your nervous system before reactivating years later as shingles. 

This infection starts as a clump of bumps that transforms into a rash, usually in one specific area or side of the body. The rash will then turn into painful fluid-filled blisters which usually dry out and crust over 7 - 10 days. 

Aside from the rashes and blisters, other additional symptoms of shingles include fevers, chills, fatigue, muscle weakness, light sensitivity, and enlarged lymph nodes. 

Red Light Therapy Benefits for Shingles Treatment

Red light therapy is a treatment that uses a certain spectrum of light to stimulate cellular activity. While no studies have proven that the therapy can treat the direct cause of shingles, its benefits in managing symptoms are increasingly evident. It has shown promise in reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and accelerating the healing process, which we’ll explore further below. 

Pain and Inflammation Reduction

Red light therapy can be used to combat the inflammatory response triggered by the virus. It reduces oxidative stress and regulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which helps mitigate swelling and discomfort. This reduction in inflammation is one of the mechanisms through which red light therapy helps alleviate pain.

The other red light therapy mechanism that provides pain relief is through the production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers. These block the nerve cells that receive pain signals which can provide much-needed reprieve for shingles patients dealing with nerve pain.

Accelerated Healing of Skin Lesions

The skin blisters and lesions produced by shingles are not only painful but also slow to heal. With the very same functions used in dermatology clinics, red light therapy can accelerate the healing process.

During red light therapy, your cells experience improved mitochondrial function, which increases their ability to repair and regenerate. This boost in cellular activity accelerates the recovery of damaged skin and lesions. It also helps prevent complications such as secondary infections or scarring.

Additionally, the treatment stimulates increased collagen production, which improves the skin’s structure, strength, and elasticity. 

Potential to Minimise Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Postherpetic Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that persists even after the shingles rashes have been treated. Nerve damage from the virus is one of the root causes of this condition. It is typically difficult to treat, however, red light therapy has the potential to support nerve repair and reduce nerve pain. 

Through its accelerated healing function, the treatment promotes the regeneration of damaged nerve fibres while mitigating neuropathic pain. Through these, it can alleviate the long-term pain associated with the condition and improve the patient’s quality of life.

Key Takeaway

Further research is needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how red light therapy can help treat shingles. However, its non-invasive and pain-relieving properties already make it a valuable addition to your arsenal of shingle treatments. If you’re suffering from shingles, you may want to consider using red light therapy as a maintenance program to alleviate remaining pain or sensitivity or reduce the risk of pain recurrence. 

To learn more about the benefits of red light therapy, explore our ROJO blog. For more questions or inquiries about our red light panel products, feel free to contact us.