What can I do against the itching after a severe shingles outbreak?!

What can I do against the itching after a severe shingles outbreak?

Around New Year I had a pretty bad Shingles outbreak, and although I went to the hospital when the first red dots appeared on my chest they did not recognized it as being Shingles. When I went back after 2 days the worse was done already. Not saying how it all looked but it was bad, really bad and painful. Me and my girlfriend have been searching alot about it on the net and one of the things we found was saying that the pain might last for months, and in some cases even up to more then a year :o. Well the pain went after a month or two... but in stead I got a nasty itch that has been there ever since, not to mention the scars on my chest and arm. Is there a way to get rid of the itching and the scars? Also, I have spots (where the rash was worse) that feel numb (not when I press it hard) :( I am Belgian, and heard from belgian friend that in Belgium they start with electro stimulans to stop the virus and regenerate the nerves also (which are attacked by the virus). What can I do now?

1% Hydrocortisone Cream applied to the itch topically. Make sure you are not allergic to the medication. Also try Aveedo oatmeal bath and product line (lotion,etc.) Colloidial oatmeal added to the bath is nice, but the clumps clog the drain sometimes.

Good Luck