Symptoms

Nerve pain can persist after the shingles symptoms have disappeared.

The symptoms of shingles are typically limited to the skin area where they first appear and can include:

occasional sharp burning, shooting, or jabbing pain
Constant burning, throbbing, or aching pain
Extreme sensitivity to touch
Extreme sensitivity to temperature changes
itching
Numbness
headaches

In rare cases, the nerve can also control muscle movement. This may cause muscle weakness or paralysis.

Some symptoms can make it difficult to perform daily tasks like bathing and dressing. PHN can also lead to fatigue and sleep problems.

Causes

Shingles can cause PHN, or chronic nerve pain . Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. The virus is inactive after a person has recovered from chickenpox.

Herpes varicella zoster can reactivate later in life and cause shingles. Shingles affect the nerves and skin surrounding them. The nerves on the side of the body that affect the chest or abdomen are usually affected.

Nerve damage caused by shingles can cause nerve dysfunction. The nerve is confused, and it sends chaotic pain signals randomly to the brain. This can cause a burning, throbbing pain along the nerve.

According to experts, shingles can cause scar tissue to form near the nerves and create pressure. The nerves send incorrect signals to the brain, including pain signals. Why some patients develop PHN is not known .

PHN has been treated with a number of natural and complementary therapies.

Included are:

Source for vitamin C, but further research is required to confirm it.
Homeopathic treatment is not scientifically proven.
cupping
herbal remedies
Wearing comfortable clothes made of cotton or silk
Cool packs can soothe pain.

The treatment options for traditional Chinese medicine vary depending on whether the PHONE type is "heat", "wet", or "wind".

Researchers are still investigating the effectiveness of some of these treatments.

Diagnosis

PHN, a complication from shingles, is usually easy to diagnose. If symptoms persist or appear after shingles symptoms have resolved, the patient may have PHN.

Prevention

The key to preventing PHN is early treatment. When shingles symptoms or signs appear, it is important to seek medical attention. This will reduce the risk of developing neuralgia.

It is important to get vaccinated against chickenpox, shingles, and other diseases.

If you treat shingles aggressively within two days of the first rash, it can reduce the severity and length of any subsequent neuralgia.

Vaccination against shingles and chickenpox is the only way to prevent PHN. The varicella vaccination protects against chickenpox and varicella-zoster shingles.

Chickenpox vaccination

Children aged 12–18 months are routinely administered the Varivax vaccine to prevent chickenpox. The experts recommend the vaccine for adults and older kids who have not had chickenpox. The vaccine doesn't provide complete immunity, but it reduces the severity and complications of disease.

Shingles Vaccine

Zostavax can protect adults older than 60 who have had chickenpox. The vaccine does not guarantee 100 percent protection, but it can reduce the severity and complications of shingles.

Experts recommend that anyone over 60 get this vaccine regardless of whether they've had shingles in the past. The vaccine is a preventive measure and is not intended to treat those who have already been infected.

People with the following conditions should not receive the shingles vaccination:

Anyone who has had a severe reaction to the shingles vaccine, gelatin, or antibiotic Neomycin
People with a weakened immune system
Patients who receive steroids and those undergoing radiation or chemotherapy
Those with a history of bone marrow or lymphatic cancer
Patients with active tuberculosis who have not been treated

A mildly ill person can take the vaccine. However, those who are moderately ill or severely ill should not. They should wait until they have recovered.