Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Shingles

Postherpetic Neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia is a shingles complication that affects the skin and nerve fibers. This condition occurs when patients continue to experience shingles pain even after their rashes and blisters have resolved. It's estimated that around twenty percent of individuals with shingles also experience postherpetic neuralgia. Neuralgia is the medical term for neuropathic pain occurring along the nerve. The most common underlying cause is damage or irritation to the nerve that leads to an alteration of the neurological function or structure. The feeling might be of intense stabbing or burning, and patients might feel as though the pain is shooting along their affected nerve. Neuropathic pain is generated inside the nervous system rather than being a reaction to outside stimuli. The treatment for this kind of pain depends on the type and severity of the pain, along with the patient's overall health. Some individuals call neuropathic pain a pinched nerve, but pinching isn't always the reason for the pain in cases of postherpetic neuralgia. There have been rare cases where patients also experience muscle paralysis or weakness because the affected nerve controls certain movements.

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