These are the symptoms of post-zoster neuralgia
In post-zoster neuralgia, very severe pain occurs in a specific area of the body. This area is initially still demarcated and its localization depends on the nerves in which the herpes viruses have dwelled after the chickenpox disease. Over time, however, the symptoms can spread to other areas and the pain also occurs in surrounding skin areas.
The main symptom of post-zoster neuralgia is very severe pain, which often results in a major reduction in the quality of life for those affected. Often the affected persons can no longer work fully and the quality of sleep is also reduced. The pain of post-zoster neuralgia is very strong because it is caused by damage to the nerves.
They can manifest themselves in different forms. Either they are present as a permanent pain, which is usually described as burning or drilling, or they come in recurring very strong attacks. Alternatively, they can also occur as touch pain, which is also called allodynia.
The pain often represents a high level of suffering for the person affected, as it is very intense and therefore represents a great burden. Itching is not a typical symptom of post-zoster neuralgia. However, it occurs more frequently in the case of shingles, as a rash with fluid-filled blisters forms.
These can occasionally cause itching, but are often rather painful. In post-zoster neuralgia, the pain is the most important factor. Often, the clinical picture only breaks out properly after the rash has subsided, which is why there is usually no itching.
Occasionally, the severe burning pain can also be felt as a kind of itching. However, they are usually more of a stabbing or drilling nature. Post-zoster neuralgia can occur at different times.Often the severe pain does not begin until a month after the shingles has subsided, so after a month of painlessness, very severe pain reoccurs.
By then, post-zoster neuralgia usually no longer has a rash, since the shingles has already healed. However, post-zoster neuralgia can also occur during shingles if it lasts longer than 4 weeks. In this case, a rash with the typical fluid-filled vesicles may exist at the same time as the disease.
