Health Conditions

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a complication of shingles, causes a severe, constant pain or periods of intense pain that can last for months or even years - long after the shingles rash has healed. The pain is associated with the damage that the varicella zoster virus causes to the nerves. In the most severe cases, the pain can be debilitating and cause insomnia, loss of appetite, and depression.

The kind of pain, its intensity, and the area or part of the body that is involved depends on which nerves have been most damaged by the virus. Generally, affected individuals experience one or more of the following types of pain: a deep, persistent aching or burning pain; a jabbing, shooting, or stabbing pain; or a feeling of discomfort that is caused even by the lightest touch or exposure to cold temperatures

Age is the major risk factor for PHN, which occurs most commonly in older persons. Other risk factors include an outbreak of shingles around the eye and severe pain during the first few days of a shingles episode. PHN is normally not life-threatening. However, paralysis has been reported in 1% to 5% of patients with this condition.

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.