What Helps Shingles Nerve Pain

Generally this pain follows a nerve s path on one side of the body.

What helps shingles nerve pain.

The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuropathy phn when this happens feelings of pain remain long after the blisters have cleared up. The rash which can be excruciating is often one sided because it follows the route of the nerves under the skin. Shingles a viral infection of the nerve roots affects 1 million people in the u s each year. The condition affects nerve fibers and skin causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash and blisters of shingles disappear.

July 25 2005 a new study offers insights into what helps and what does not help relieve long lasting shingles pain. Shingles causes a painful rash that can be accompanied by fever fatigue and sensitivity to light. It s caused by nerve injury at the. Up to 15 of people with shingles have this persistent pain and it is not understood why the pain persists in some people but it is likely that some type of nerve damage or inflammation occurs during the outbreak that leads to continued pain.

While antiviral medication is an effective treatment for shingles it s not the only option. 5 options may help you. While a painful itchy blistering rash is the main characteristic of shingles this nerve pain may precede its appearance. Roughly 30 to 60 of people over age 60 who get shingles go on to develop a chronic pain syndrome called post herpetic neuralgia.

Postherpetic neuralgia post hur pet ik noo ral juh is the most common complication of shingles. If you have shingles symptoms get treatment now and you may avoid permanent nerve pain. The chickenpox herpes zoster virus causes shingles. This pain can last for weeks months or even years.

While there are medications that can help they work best on shingles pain if used early in the episode. Quite frequently the earliest symptom of shingles is a burning or tingling sensation on the skin. Doctors call it postherpetic neuralgia or phn.