Postherpetic Neuralgia
Postherpetic Neuralgia
It is a complication due to the disease shingles in which nerves fiber and skin are mostly affected. Herpes zoster involved in the pathogenesis of shingles and affect older age people.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia include:
- Itching
- Numbness
- Sensitivity to touch
- Pain
- Skin rashes
Causes
Herpes zoster remain in the body for whole life if it infected once in a lifetime. It will be reactivated in debilitating condition and when immune system of body weaken due to any reason such as steroids therapy, chemotherapy, and immunosuppressant medications. Postherpetic neuralgia occur due to the breaking of nerve fibers during shingles.
Complications
If left unchecked it may cause the following complications:
- Difficulty in concentration
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep problem
Diagnosis
There is no any specific test to diagnose the condition your doctor will diagnose by doing physical examination and taking medical history about signs and symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment for post-herpetic neuralgia is a combination therapy because no any single medication reduces the symptoms, treatment options include:
- Topical pain reducing lidocaine patches
- Capsaicin to pain
- Some anticonvulsant like gabapentin have effect on pain
- Antidepressants
Lifestyle and home remedies
Following tips will help you:
- Eat healthy food
- Take rest
- Avoid unnecessary activity
- Take pain killer
- Topical anesthetic and analgesic will also help to reduce the pain