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ABC Medical Center > Postherpetic neuralgia

What is Postherpetic neuralgia?

21:55 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It is a chronic pain in the skin and nervous system caused by the presence of shingles, which can prevail for months or years after the characteristic signs of this viral condition disappear.

Older adults and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk of having postherpetic neuralgia. However, other factors can also trigger postherpetic neuralgia, including:

  • Having suffered severe shingles with very intense and paralyzing pain.
  • Appearance of herpes zoster on the face and chest.
  • Not being vaccinated against shingles.
  • Diabetes.
  • Arthritis.
  • Cirrhosis.
  • Delayed treatment with antivirals after the rash appears.

Signs and symptoms Postherpetic neuralgia

  • Intense painful episodes in the chest or on one side of the body.
  • Burning.
  • Intolerance to contact or friction with the affected skin.
  • Itch.
  • Numbness.
  • Insensitivity.

Although postherpetic neuralgia has no cure, proper treatment helps reduce discomfort.

Among the risks and complications that can be triggered as a result of postherpetic neuralgia are:

  • Depression.
  • Stress, anger, frustration, and helplessness.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Sleep disorders.

Diagnosis and treatment Postherpetic neuralgia

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination on the skin to confirm the diagnosis.

Postherpetic neuralgia  treatment consists of a combination of drugs that help reduce pain and control symptoms, such as:

  • Painkillers.
  • Anticonvulsants.
  • Antidepressants.
  • Steroids.
  • Psychotherapy.

The vaccine is recommended to prevent shingles and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults.

In ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we provide you with health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological conditions, both chronic-degenerative and acute, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Fuentes:

  • topdoctors.es
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • tmcaz.com
  • elsevier.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlinesplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Jiménez TA, Viña GML, Navarrete BIZ, et al. Bloqueo en el plano del músculo erector espinal en un paciente con neuralgia posherpética. Rev Cub de Med Fis y Rehab. 2018;10(3):1-6.
  • García-González AI, Rosas-Carrasco O. Herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in the elderly: Particularities in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Gac Med Mex. 2017;153(1):92-101.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.