Post Herpetic Neuralgia And The Management Of Post Herpetic Neuralgia |
| POST-HERPETIC
NEURALGIA Shingles (herpes zoster virus) can cause pain resulting
from various cranial nerves. The pain may start during an acute
rash of herpes but the main problem is pain that persists after
the herpes rash has gone. Common symptoms of Post-Herpetic
Neuralgia include a constant deep pain, with repeated stabs,
or needle pricking pain. Even light touch can trigger these symptoms
which may be accompanied by itching. Half of patients have no pain
after three years.
Post-Herpetic Neuralgia Management: Management consists of taking anti viral drugs early on with the herpes infection. Topical (skin) calamine lotion and OTC analgesics are useful early on. If the pain persists after the rash has gone, tricyclic antidepressants are effective. Chili peppers contain capsaicin which is formulated into a topical cream. Care must be taken not to get the cream into the eyes or mucous membranes. Initially the cream can make the pain worse but with continued use, the pain may eventually abate. Surgical intervention of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia is not unanimously effective. Source: Dr Andrew Dowson Publication Date: July 2003
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