Postherpetic neuralgia, Nerve damage Post Herpes Zoster

Postherpetic neuralgia is a painful condition that affects the nerves and skin. Burning pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia can be severe enough to be very disturbing in the sleep and appetite.

Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of herpes zoster, which is caused by the chickenpox virus. Most cases of shingles can be recovered within a few weeks.

But if the pain lasts long after the shingles rash and blisters have disappeared, pain is called postherpetic neuralgia.

The risk of postherpetic neuralgia increases with age, mainly affects people over the age of 60 years. Effective treatment for postherpetic neuralgia was difficult, and the pain can last for months or even years. 

Cause

During the initial infection of chickenpox, some of the virus can remain dormant in some nerve cells of the body. Years later, the virus can reactivate, causing shingles.

Postherpetic neuralgia occurs when nerve fibers are damaged during herpes zoster. Damaged fibers can not send messages from the skin to the brain as usual. So that messages sent to the brain becomes confused and exaggerated, causing chronic pain. The pain is often excruciating and can last for months or even years. 

Symptom

Signs and symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia are generally limited to the area of ​​skin where the shingles occurred first. It is, usually only occurs on one side of the body (unilateral). Signs and symptoms that may occur in postherpetic neuralgia, among others:

1. PainfulThe pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia is usually described as burning, sharp, stabbing, or deep pain. 
2. Sensitivity to light touch.People who have postherpetic neuralgia is often resistant to even the touch of clothing a light touch on the affected skin. 
3. Itching and numbnessPostherpetic neuralgia can cause itching sensation or numbness
4. Weakness or paralysisIn rare cases, patients with postherpetic neuralgia may also experience muscle weakness or paralysis if a nerve is involved nerves that control muscle movement. 

Treatment

There is no single treatment that reduces postherpetic neuralgia on everyone. In many cases, it may take a combination of treatments to ease the pain.

1. Lidocaine skin patchesLidocaine skin patches are small bandage like a patch that contains, painkiller lidocaine topical. This patch can be cut to fit the area being affected. 
2. Tricyclic AntidepressantsAntidepressants such as nortriptyline and amitriptyline affect brain chemistry, which is the key that plays a role in depression and how the body interprets pain. Doctors usually prescribe antidepressants for postherpetic neuralgia in smaller doses than is prescribed for depression. 
3. Certain anticonvulsantsAnti-seizure drugs can also reduce the pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia. These drugs can stabilize abnormal electrical activity in the nervous system caused by the injured nerve.Your doctor may prescribe gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica) or other anticonvulsants to help control the burning and pain. 
4. Opioid pain relieversSome people may require prescription pain relief with extra strength containing tramadol (Ultram, Ryzolt), oxycodone (Percocet), or morphine.

However, these drugs can cause addiction. Although the risk is low, but you should consult with your doctor.