Aaarrrrhhhhhh

Bugger @Cate64  - Shingles can be a really painful!  :(   Hubby's elderly aunt had it in her 90s .... and her South African chemist concocted a mixture of dissolved aspirin in a spirit (don't know what the mix was tho!)  - and it was gently applied to the blisters/painful areas.  The spirit base helped dry it out & the aspirin helped with the pain.

Just found this ...... it seems to have the aspirin crushed into Rubbing Alcohol!!

And also mentions good old Calendula lotion!!!

http://www.readersdigest.ca/health/conditions/8-natural-ways-treat-shingles/

All the best - hope something helps 'fix it' SOON!  xxx