PostHerpetic Neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition that occurs after a patient has recovered from herpes zoster, or shingles, but continues to feel tingling, burning, and pain where the rash was more than three months later. Other symptoms also include itching, loss of feeling, and sensitivity to touch or temperature. Postherpetic neuralgia is caused by damage to the nerves attributed to a herpes zoster infection, when the nerve fibers malfunction and communicate signals of pain to the brain.

Symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia often clear up on their own eventually, but a pain specialist may recommend some combination of treatments based on the severity of the pain. These may include anti-inflammatory drugs, prescription painkillers, topical pain medications (creams or patches), anti-seizure medication, specific antidepressants, and steroid injections.

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