Do I Have Postherpetic Neuralgia?

Did you have shingles recently?

Do you have pain that lasts three months or longer after the shingles rash has healed?

Do you have severe pain that interferes with your daily activities, such as putting on clothes or sleeping?

Can you describe your pain as burning, stinging, sharp, shooting, or jabbing?

Can you describe your pain as deep, throbbing, and aching pain?

Do you have extreme sensitivity to touch (you cannot bear even a light touch on the affected skin, e.g. the touch of clothing)?

Do you feel aching, burning, or stinging when the temperature changes suddenly?

Do you have an itchy feeling or numbness on the affected area of your skin?

Are your symptoms limited to the area of your skin where the shingles outbreak first occurred?

Do you have headache?

Do you have a muscle weakness?

Did you have a severe form of shingles (severe rash and severe pain)?

Has the antiviral treatment of shingles been delayed for more than 72 hours after your rash appeared?

Are you over 50?

Do you have a diagnosis of diabetes?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of shingles (herpes zoster). People with shingles have a painful skin rash with fluid-filled blisters. During an outbreak of shingles, your nerves can become damaged resulting in postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia refers to a burning pain that lasts for months after the rash and blisters subside.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia or PHN is a complication of shingles. During a shingles outbreak, the virus damages nerves in and around the affected areas of your skin, causing the nerves to send random pain signals to the brain. For most people, the pain will gradually disappear. There is no fast solution when it comes to living with PHN, but some lifestyle changes can make your symptoms more manageable. You should eat a healthy diet, exercise in moderation and make sure you sleep 8 hours each night. Prescription drugs can relieve pain and other symptoms of PHN.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia or PHN is a common complication of shingles (herpes zoster) characterized by pain that lasts long after shingles rash disappears. PHN usually affects people older than 60. A doctor will be able to make a diagnosis based on your medical history and physical exam, with no additional testing. There is no cure for PHN, but your doctor may recommend a specific treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. Treatment options that you should consider include pain medications, skin creams, and drug-containing patches.