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Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Shingles pain; topical lidocaine; tricyclics or gabapentin; vaccine prevents.

Key Information

  • Medical professional consultation recommended
  • Appropriate evaluation important
  • Multiple management approaches available
  • Specialized care may be beneficial

About Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Shingles pain; topical lidocaine; tricyclics or gabapentin; vaccine prevents.

For comprehensive information about diagnosis, treatment options, and management, consult with your healthcare provider or a relevant specialist.

Frequently asked

Common questions about Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN).

Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.

  • What is post-herpetic neuralgia?

    Post-herpetic neuralgia is persistent nerve pain that continues in the area affected by shingles after the rash itself has healed, resulting from nerve damage caused by the shingles virus.

  • What causes post-herpetic neuralgia?

    It's caused by damage to the affected nerve during a shingles (herpes zoster) infection, with pain signals continuing to be generated even after the skin has healed.

  • What are the symptoms?

    Burning, stabbing, or aching pain in the area previously affected by shingles, sometimes with increased sensitivity to touch or temperature, persisting for months or longer after the rash has cleared.

  • Is post-herpetic neuralgia dangerous?

    It's not dangerous to overall health, but it can be severely painful and significantly impact quality of life, sleep, and mental wellbeing if not adequately treated.

  • Can post-herpetic neuralgia be treated?

    Yes, various treatments can help, including specific nerve pain medications, topical treatments, and, for persistent cases, referral to a specialist pain clinic for more advanced options such as nerve blocks.

  • How long does post-herpetic neuralgia last?

    It varies considerably, with many cases gradually improving over months, though a proportion of people experience persistent pain for a year or longer, particularly if it wasn't treated early.

  • Can post-herpetic neuralgia be prevented?

    Prompt antiviral treatment during the acute shingles episode reduces the risk of developing post-herpetic neuralgia, and the shingles vaccine significantly reduces the overall risk of both shingles and this painful complication.

  • Post-herpetic neuralgia vs the pain of acute shingles — what's the difference?

    Acute shingles pain occurs alongside the active rash and typically resolves as the rash heals, while post-herpetic neuralgia is defined as pain persisting beyond this healing period, generally more than three months after the rash appeared.

  • Does age affect the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia?

    Yes, the risk increases significantly with age, with older adults considerably more likely to develop this complication after shingles than younger people, which is part of why vaccination is particularly recommended for older adults.

  • When should I see a specialist, and how quickly can I be seen privately?

    See a doctor if pain persists after a shingles rash has healed. Private pain management or neurology assessment is typically available within about two weeks, faster than many NHS chronic pain service waiting lists.