Shingles Post-Herpetic Neuralgia Treatment in San Leandro
Shingles are caused by the same virus as chicken pox, the varicella-zoster virus. The virus can stay dormant for decades, then suddenly cause an outbreak, resulting in a painful rash. Shingles usually only lasts for a few weeks, but there is a possibility of nerve damage and long-term neuralgia symptoms. If you need shingles post-herpetic neuralgia treatment in San Leandro, CA, come see our pain specialists at Allied Pain & Spine Institute.
There are vaccinations for chicken pox available now, but many people born before the 1990s have had chicken pox and are prone to shingles. There are also vaccines for shingles, but it is still possible to have shingles even if you had the vaccination. Shingles causes skin blisters and rashes on one side of the body, but the damage can be much deeper. The nerve fibers are irritated, causing nerve pain that does not respond to most pain relieving medications. Most people only experience pain and discomfort while the rash is present, but some have ongoing complications. The most common is post-herpetic neuralgia.
What Is Post-Herpetic Neuralgia?
The skin and nerves where the shingles rash or blisters occurred can be damaged, resulting in long-term pain and sensitivity. Post-herpetic neuralgia is a condition that is more common in older adults, but it can occur in anyone who has shingles. The symptoms of this shingles complication include:
- Burning or stabbing pain
- Itchy skin
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Numbness
The symptoms affect the area where the rash occurred, usually a band around the torso on one side of the body. Shingles can also less commonly affect the neck, face and other areas of the body. Post-herpetic neuralgia is diagnosed when these symptoms occur for three months or longer after the initial shingles outbreak.
Relief for Post-Shingles Pain
If you have shingles post-herpetic neuralgia, it can cause chronic pain that results in pain-related mood disorders, sleep disturbances and other complications associated with chronic pain disorders. However, there are treatments that can provide relief through effective pain management. There are some medications that can help manage the long-term symptoms. Other treatments may include electrotherapy for nerve pain and steroid injections.
If you had shingles and still have pain or other symptoms of post-herpetic neuralgia, contact us at Allied Pain & Spine Institute. Call our medical clinic in San Leandro, CA, to schedule your appointment.
