Treatments For Post Shingles Pain

Shingles a viral infection of the nerve roots affects 1 million people in the u s each year.

Treatments for post shingles pain.

The chickenpox herpes zoster virus causes shingles. Some people are at higher risk for shingles and postherpetic neuralgia than others. There s no cure but treatments can ease symptoms. The condition affects nerve fibers and skin causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash and blisters of shingles disappear.

If you have shingles symptoms get treatment now and you may avoid permanent nerve pain. Roughly 30 to 60 of people over age 60 who get shingles go on to develop a chronic pain syndrome called post herpetic neuralgia. It s called postherpetic neuralgia. Doctors can help you manage the pain.

The risk of postherpetic neuralgia increases with age primarily affecting people older than 60. Those shown effective for postherpetic neuralgia include nortriptyline pamelor desipramine norpramin and amitriptyline elavil endep.