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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffThe signs and symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia are generally limited to the area of your skin where the shingles outbreak first occurred. This is most commonly in a band around your trunk, usually on just one side of your body.
They may include:
- Pain. The pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia most commonly has been described as burning, sharp and jabbing, or deep and aching.
- Sensitivity to light touch. People who have postherpetic neuralgia often cannot bear even the touch of clothing on the affected skin.
- Itching and numbness. Less commonly, postherpetic neuralgia can produce an itchy feeling or numbness.
- Weakness or paralysis. In rare cases, you might also experience muscle weakness or paralysis if the nerves involved also control muscle movement.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor at the first sign of shingles. Often the pain starts before you notice a rash. Your risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia is cut in half if you begin taking antiviral medications within 72 hours of developing the shingles rash.
- Bajwa ZH, et al. Postherpetic neuralgia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 11, 2010.
- Sampathkumar P, et al. Herpes zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2009;84:274.
- Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00021-3--s0825&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00021-3--s0845&uniq=188689159&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=966992901#lpState=opened&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00021-3--st0755%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9%3Btype%3DbookPage. Accessed March 12, 2010.
- Vora A, et al. Postherpetic neuralgia. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/188689159-4/966996765/1678/116.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50103-6_1654. Accessed March 12, 2010.
- Martin DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 22, 2010.
- Practice parameter: Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. St. Paul, Minn.: Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. http://www.guidelines.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5989&nbr=003947&string=postherpetic. Accessed March 12, 2010.
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