Acute & Post Herpetic Neuralgia

Treatment for Post-Shingles Pain in Columbus & Indianapolis

Adults aged 50 and older have a higher risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia, a common complication of the virus called shingles, in the areas of their skin where they developed it. The condition causes burning pain in the nerve fibers in the skin long after symptoms of shingles like rash and blisters have disappeared. About one in five people who get shingles develop this condition, and while most make a full recovery within a year, some symptoms last for several years or could be permanent.

Symptoms of Postherpetic Neuralgia

Signs and symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia may include:

• Pain that lasts 3+ months after your shingles rash has healed that may be described as burning, jabbing, or aching
• Sensitivity even to light touch, even the touch of clothing on the affected area of skin
• Itching and numbness

Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatments

While there is no single treatment that works for everyone, postherpetic neuralgia often responds to a combination of treatments for pain relief. Treatment may include lidocaine skin patches, capsaicin skin patches, anticonvulsant medication, antidepressants, and in short-term/monitored use, sometimes opioid medication may be prescribed.

Do you have postherpetic neuralgia? Contact us at American Pain Consortium by calling your local clinic or or reach out online now.