Postherpetic Neuralgia

At a special center for pain management, experts understand that many chronic pain conditions can be extremely frustrating. Postherpetic Neuralgia is one such condition. If you suffer from postherpetic neuralgia, there is no reason to live with your pain. Consult with an experienced physician and develop a treatment plan as soon as possible.

Postherpetic Neuralgia is a complication that sometimes occurs after contracting Shingles, a disease caused by the chickenpox virus. Shingles patients develop a painful rash and blisters that clear up over the course of a few weeks. These rashes are usually confined to specific areas of the body, including the face or chest. Occasionally, nerves are damaged during an outbreak of Shingles, causing pain that remains even after the blisters have disappeared. This condition is called postherpetic neuralgia.

What Is Postherpetic Neuralgia?

Professionals at a center for pain management know that pain associatied with postherpetic neuralgia is burning in nature and can be severe enough to keep patients from sleeping and/or eating. Depending on where the pain is located, certain postures such as sitting in a car or standing for long periods can be especially uncomfortable. Although the pain usually diminishes over time, it may last for several years.

It is impossible to definitively predict whether a Shingles patient will develop postherpetic neuralgia. Risk factors include the location of a patient’s Shingles rash and a patient’s age. Older patients are more likely to develop postherpetic neuralgia, as are patients who had their Shingles rash appear on their face instead of another part of the body.

Treatments

There is no cure for postherpetic neuralgia, but doctors have formulated several beneficial treatments. People suffering from this often excruciating condition should seek a doctor’s care as soon as possible. At a center for pain management, physicians are experienced with treating this condition and are also sensitive to the unique experiences of each of our patients. The physicians will listen to you and work with you to find the best treatment options for your lifestyle.

By Dr. James  Lin
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