Procedure & Treatment Library

Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Post herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication from shingles (varicella herpes zoster). It is a condition that is caused by damage to nerve fibres, causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash and blisters of shingles has resolved.

Post Herpatic Neuralgia

Symptoms:

The symptoms of PHN are generally limited to the area of skin where the shingles outbreak occurred. This is most commonly a band around the chest/abdomen, and usually on one side of the body, but can occur anywhere, including the face and head. Other symptoms include:

The risk of postherpetic neuralgia increases with age, primarily affecting people older than 60 and those with weakened immune systems such as those with diabetes.

Over time, there is a slow resolution of the pain syndrome, but for a small group of patients, they will experience chronic pain as a result of the nerve damage and do not respond of medical treatment.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is based on the patient assessment as well as known risk factors for PHN.

The criteria for diagnosis includes:

In most cases, no further tests are necessary.

Treatment:

Unfortunately, there is no treatment that modifies or alters the disease course of PHN. Treatment is more aimed at symptom control.

Symptom control for PHN can include:

It is important to note that PHN affects people in different ways and one person’s response to treatment will be different from another person’s. Your pain specialist will work out a plan on how best to treat you and your symptoms.

**This information sheet has been written for patients affected by PHN and provides general information only**

References: Pain Australia; Mayo Clinic.

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