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