The best cures for shingles are able to reduce its symptoms. There is no known complete cure for shingles.

Shingles is also known as Herpes Zoster. It's a virus which causes varicella in young people of less than 12 years old. Varicella is also known as chicken pox. Varicella is a very contagious viral infection.

The same virus that causes chicken pox remains in the body of the infected person. After years and years, it comes out of hibernation. It is manifesting through shingles which take the form of skin rash and blisters.

The shingles themselves are not contagious unless the other person has no immunity for the virus and he touched the shingles.

There are many cures for shingles available. As I said, they aren't complete cures but many are really good at reducing its symptoms and the shingle's duration. The following are the most important partial cures for shingles:

#1: Antibiotics to be put on the affected skin.
These antibiotics are called topical antibiotics. You apply them by using special patches on the infected zone. Lidocaine is one example of such a path.

#2: Anti viral antibiotics.
These are probably the most effective antibiotics against shingles. They attack the virus itself. As a result, the pain associated with shingles and duration of the rash are diminished. The most common are: acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir.

#3: Personal treatments at home.
It's important to keep the infected skin untouched. Keep your hands off the blisters. Wash the affected zone and keep it clean.

#4: Depression medication and other ways to control the pain.
Along with the shingles, you may feel pain. 10% or 15% of those that suffer from shingles develop Postherpetic Neuralgia. Postherpetic Neuralgia can be painful for months or even years to come. In this case, you will need ongoing treatment. For most people, it lasts less than 1 year.

Try the above cures for shingles in order to reduce your suffering. Remember to also check with your doctor.