Shingles pain

Shingles pain
Localized pain in the area of involvement of shingles. When such pain persists beyond one month it is referred to as postherpetic neuralgia.The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. This occurs when the pain associated with shingles persists beyond one month, even after the rash is gone. The pain can be severe and debilitating and occurs primarily in persons over the age of 50. There is some evidence that treating shingles with steroids and antiviral agents can reduce the duration and occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia. However, the decrease is minimal. The pain of postherpetic neuralgia can be reduced by a number of medications. Tricyclic antidepressant medications (amitriptyline /Elavil and others), as well as anti-seizure medications (gabapentin /Neurontin, carbamazepine /Tegretol), have been used to relieve the pain associated with herpetic neuralgia. Finally, capsaicin cream, a derivative of hot chili peppers, can be used topically on the area after all the blisters have healed, to reduce the pain. Acupuncture and electric nerve stimulation through the skin can be helpful for some patients. These options

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Shingles — An acute infection caused by the virus Herpes zoster, which also causes chickenpox. Shingles usually emerges in adulthood after exposure to chickenpox or reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which can remain latent in body tissues for years… …   Medical dictionary

  • Shingles — Shin gles, n. [OF. cengle a girth, F. sangle, fr. L. cingulum a girdle, fr. cingere to gird. Cf. {Cincture}, {Cingle}, {Surcingle}.] (Med.) A kind of herpes ({Herpes zoster}) which spreads half way around the body like a girdle, and is usually… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pain, shingles — Localized pain in the area of involvement of shingles. When such pain persists beyond one month it is referred to as postherpetic neuralgia.The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. This occurs when the pain associated… …   Medical dictionary

  • shingles — /shing geuhlz/, n. (used with a sing. or pl. v.) Pathol. a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, esp. by reactivated virus in an older person, characterized by skin eruptions and pain along the course of involved sensory nerves. Also… …   Universalium

  • shingles — shin•gles [[t]ˈʃɪŋ gəlz[/t]] n. (used with a sing. or pl. v.) pat a disease caused by the herpes zoster virus, characterized by skin eruptions and pain along the course of involved sensory nerves • Etymology: 1350–1400; < ML cingulum (L:… …   From formal English to slang

  • shingles —    Also called Herpes zoster. It is caused by the chickenpox virus, and usually occurs in middle age, beginning as inflammation, sharp pain and finally vesicles, erupting at the edges of posterior ganglia of the trunk or face. Usually lasting two …   Herbal-medical glossary

  • Chest pain — ICD 10 R07 ICD 9 786.5 Chest pain may be a symptom of a number of serious conditions and is generally considered a medical emergency. Even though it may be determined that the pain is non cardiac in origin, this is …   Wikipedia

  • Postherpetic neuralgia — PHN redirects here. For the Spanish National Water Plan (Plan Hidrológico Nacional), see Water supply and sanitation in Spain. Postherpetic neuralgia Classification and external resources ICD 10 B02.2, G53.0, G44.847 ICD 9 …   Wikipedia

  • Neuralgia — Pain along the course of a nerve. * * * Pain of a severe, throbbing, or stabbing character in the course or distribution of a nerve. SYN: neurodynia. [neur + G. algos, pain] atypical facial n. SYN: atypical trigeminal n …   Medical dictionary

  • Herpes zoster — Shingles Shin gles, n. [OF. cengle a girth, F. sangle, fr. L. cingulum a girdle, fr. cingere to gird. Cf. {Cincture}, {Cingle}, {Surcingle}.] (Med.) A kind of herpes ({Herpes zoster}) which spreads half way around the body like a girdle, and is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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