Shingles is a disease What foods should be avoided when you have shingles? This is a question many people wonder about because shingles impacts daily life, causing burning pain, red rashes, or blisters. Poor care or eating harmful foods can cause wounds to worsen or heal slowly.

This article by Thairath Online provides a brief summary of what foods should be avoided when you have shingles. You can check which foods, vegetables, and fruits to avoid here.

What foods should be avoided when you have shingles?

Besides taking medication, one way to improve symptoms quickly is to choose nutritious foods and avoid forbidden ones as follows.

1. Foods high in the amino acid arginine

Arginine is an amino acid that can stimulate the herpes and shingles viruses to spread more easily. Therefore, foods rich in arginine should be avoided, such as chocolate, peanuts, red beans, black beans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, gelatin, canned tuna, and sesame.

2. Fried foods high in saturated fat and oil

Foods high in fat can lead to excess fat buildup, causing inflammation and weakened immunity. Examples include bread with butter, milk, cream, cheese, or excessive sugar; fried chicken; fried pork; fried snacks; French fries; hamburgers; and creamy soups.

3. Foods that are very sweet and high in sugar

Sugar increases inflammation in the body and weakens the immune system. Foods with strong sweetness and high sugar include cakes, baked goods, soft drinks, sweetened beverages, bubble tea, yogurt drinks, or flavored milk.

4. Strongly flavored foods

Foods that are very spicy, sour, or salty may irritate wounds and cause more inflammation, such as papaya salad, tom yum soup, chili pastes, spicy curry, and stir-fried chili paste dishes.

5. Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages

Alcohol and caffeine are major factors that can delay shingles recovery because they damage tissue cells, suppress the immune system, and harm beneficial microorganisms. Examples include beer, liquor, wine, coffee, and energy drinks.

6. Pickled or semi-raw foods

Pickled or semi-raw foods undergo fermentation and contain high sodium and sugar, which can stimulate body inflammation. Examples to avoid are pickled fruits, fermented pork, fermented fish, larb (minced meat salad), and fermented noodles.

Which vegetables and fruits should be avoided when you have shingles?

Although vegetables and fruits are beneficial, some types contain high sugar, which can worsen inflammation, increase itching, or trigger burning pain. It is best to avoid the following vegetables and fruits.

Durian, due to its high fat and sugar content.
Longan, lychee, and grapes, because of their high sugar that can trigger inflammation.
Ripe mango, which has high sugar and can slow wound healing.
Cavendish bananas may cause itching rashes in some patients.
Chili and tomato, as they contain substances that may cause a burning sensation.
Garlic and onion may cause irritation in some patients.
Ginger, galangal, and lemongrass may increase the burning sensation around wounds.

Meanwhile, fruits recommended during shingles are those high in vitamins and low in sugar, which help reduce inflammation and boost immunity, such as oranges, guava, papaya, berries, leafy greens, cucumber, and pumpkin.

Tips for eating to help shingles wounds heal faster

Eat mild-flavored, easily digestible foods.
Increase intake of quality protein, such as eggs, fish, and skinless chicken.
Drink enough water to meet your body's needs.
Focus on fruits and vegetables that reduce inflammation and support immune function.
Consume foods rich in vitamins A, B12, C, E, or zinc.

Now that you know what foods to avoid when you have shingles, it is recommended to avoid or stop eating these foods for a while. At the same time, choosing nutritious foods and staying well hydrated will help wounds dry faster and reduce burning pain more effectively.

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