|
Postherpetic neuralgia
|
Diseases & Conditions
A-Z |
|
|
|
Postherpetic
neuralgia is a painful condition affecting your
nerve fibers and skin. It's a complication of
shingles, a second outbreak of the varicella-zoster
virus, which initially causes chickenpox.
During an initial infection of
chickenpox, some
of the chickenpox virus can remain in your system,
lying dormant inside nerve cells. Years later,
factors such as age, illness, stress or medications
can reactivate the virus. It can also reactivate for
no apparent reason.
Once reactivated, the virus travels along nerve
fibers, causing pain. When the virus reaches the
skin, it produces a rash and blisters, known as
shingles (herpes zoster). A case of
shingles usually
heals within a month. But some people continue to
feel pain long after the rash and blisters heal.
This pain is known as postherpetic neuralgia.
Self-care
After talking with your doctor, you may find the following
over-the-counter medications ease the pain of postherpetic neuralgia:
-
Capsaicin.
This cream, made from the seeds of hot chili peppers, may relieve
skin hypersensitivity. It's the only medication approved by the FDA
for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Capsaicin (Capzasin-P,
Zostrix) depletes your nerve cells of a chemical called substance P,
which is involved in sending pain messages to your brain. You
periodically rub the cream on the involved area of your skin,
usually three times a day. Capsaicin can cause a burning sensation
and irritate your skin, but these side effects usually disappear
over time. Capsaicin cream can be very irritating if rubbed on
nonaffected parts of your body, such as in your eyes. Follow the
application instructions carefully.
-
Topical
analgesics and anesthetics.
Aspirin mixed into an absorbing cream or nonprescription-strength
lidocaine cream may reduce skin hypersensitivity. Don't apply cream
containing lidocaine to your face. Your doctor may also recommend
using a cream containing other medications.
Postherpetic neuralgia >
1 >
2 >
3 >
4
 Related Site:
Treatments
Treatments Programs:
|
