Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is caused by damage that occurs to the peripheral nerve fibers during a shingles infection. On average, one out of every five patients with shingles develops PHN. However, the risk of having the condition increases with age — older people who have suffered from shingles have as much as a 50 percent chance of developing PHN.
Pain associated with PHN can be very intense, often described by patients as deep, aching and unbearable. In some cases, even a light touch, like the pressure of a shirt or gust of wind, can cause intense pain.
Because the pain of PHN can be so awful, it interferes with a person's life. Some PHN patients have to stop their normal activities for months. Also, depression is common because of the severe pain and social isolation that can occur.
There are no specific tests available to test for post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). However, people who have recovered from shingles and experience an ongoing pain in the region affected by the initial shingles rash, should contact their doctor to determine if they have developed PHN.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), although there are a variety of effective pain relief medications and the pain of PHN tends to resolve with time.
Treatment options that provide pain relief include:
The effectiveness of treatment for PHN varies widely among patients. The FDA has approved the lidocaine skin patch for PHN pain and the anti-seizure drug, called gabapentin. Narcotic analgesics and antidepressant medications also have been proven to be effective.
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated
February 6, 2012
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Pain Management Center
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