Localization – Where does post-zoster neuralgia occur particularly frequently?
Post-zoster neuralgia usually initially has a specific localization, which depends on which nerves or in which cell bodies of the nerves the herpes viruses have dwelt after the chickenpox infection. Depending on this, the pain then occurs in a specific area that is supplied by the nerves and in which the shingles disease was previously located. Post-zoster neuralgia can occur anywhere, but is often in the area of the chest or face, for example in the area of the ears or even around the eyes. In the latter case, during shingles one also speaks of a zoster oticus (in the ear area) or a zoster ophthalmicus (in the eye area). In the course of post-zoster neuralgia, the pain often spreads to adjacent skin areas.
Therapy of post-zoster neuralgia
The duration of post-zoster neuralgia can vary greatly and depends mainly on the age of the affected person and the immune system. If the affected person is younger, he or she can often recover from the disease earlier. Usually, the duration of the pain is about one month.
With increasing age, however, it also happens again and again that the post-zoster neuralgia persists for more than a year. A lifelong existence of the disease is also possible, although this is rather rare. In addition, the effectiveness of the pain therapy, on which the duration of the pain also depends.
Prognosis – Is post-zoster neuralgia curable?
In principle, post-zoster neuralgia can be cured or the pain caused by the disease can disappear. However, the prognosis of post-zoster neuralgia depends on many different factors. First of all, it is essential that shingles, which is present before post-zoster neuralgia, is detected quickly and treated accordingly with Aciclovir, a drug against the herpes viruses.
A late start of the therapy has a negative effect on the prognosis, as the viruses have more time to further damage the nerves. In addition, the immune system and the age of the affected person is important for the prognosis. For many affected persons the pain subsides after about one month.
With increasing age, however, the risk of post-zoster neuralgia increases over a year. In addition, in approx. 30% of all affected persons the therapy with pain medication is not sufficiently effective, which leads to a strong reduction of the quality of life.
