Residual Pain From Shingles

An outbreak of shingles can develop into a chronic condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The pain of this condition is most often very severe and may be difficult to treat.

Identification

• Postherpetic neuralgia is defined as pain that is caused by a shingles outbreak but which lasts after the blistering rash has cleared up. This pain may last for weeks, months or even years after shingles.

Symptoms

• In addition to severe pain in the affected area, people with postherpetic neuralgia also experience heightened sensitivity to touch and changes in temperature, itching, numbness and headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Complications

• The Mayo Clinic reports that people whose muscular nerves are affected by PHN may undergo weakness or loss of function in the affected muscles.

Treatment

• A wide variety of treatments are used to manage PHN. According to the American Association of Family Physicians, these may include some tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants as well as topical agents like lidocaine and capsaicin. The Mayo Clinic also reports the use of corticosteroid injections and electric nerve stimulation.

Prevention

• The shingles vaccine is recommended to reduce the chances of developing complications of shingles, including PHN, according to the Mayo Clinic. The AAFP reports that the use of corticosteroids during shingles treatment may also reduce the chances of developing PHN.