MamasHealth.com Home Skin Health Acne Anal warts Anhidrosis Athlete's foot Bed sores Boils Cellulitis Chafing Chilblains Contact dermatitis Cosmetic surgery Cradle cap Dandruff Diaper rash Eczema Elastosis Erysipelas Fifth disease Flat wart Flea bites Folliculitis Frostbite Heat rash Hives Hyperhidrosis Ichthyosis Impetigo Jock itch Keloids Lichen Planus Measles Mole Molluscum Poison ivy Plantar warts Postherpetic neuralgia Prevent acne Psoriasis Ringworms Roscea Roseola Scabies Scalded skin Scar tissue Scleroderma Seborrheic dermatitis Senior skin care Shingles Skin cancer Soothe sunburned skin Sun burn Stretch marks Warts Vitiligo Xeroderma pigmentosum Links Skincare Information Hair Care The magic of touch Email Mama	What is Postherpetic Neuralgia? Postherpetic neuralgia (post-her-PET-ic noo-RAL-jah) is a painful condition affecting your nerve fibers and skin. Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of shingles. Not everyone who's had shingles develops postherpetic neuralgia. However, postherpetic neuralgia is a common complication of shingles in older adults. The greater your age when you develop shingles, the greater your risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia may be debilitating long after signs of the original herpes or shingles infection has disappeared. It becomes more common with increasing age. What is Shingles? Shingles are an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles usually affects the elderly or people with compromised immune function. What Causes Postherpetic Neuralgia? Postherpetic neuralgia is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. The varicella-zoster virus is acquired during the primary varicella infection, shingles, or chicken pox. Symptoms of Postherpetic Neuralgia The most common symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia are: burning, throbbing, aching, stabbing or shooting pain. The pain usually occurs near the site of the initial episode. The pain often returns sporadically at unknown intervals and is worsened by movement of or contact with the affected area. Risk factors of Developing Postherpetic Neuralgia Possible risk factors for the development of postherpetic neuralgia are ophthalmic zoster, a history of prodromal pain before the appearance of skin lesions and an compromised immune system. Can Postherpetic Neuralgia be Treated? Yes. However, postherpetic neuralgia is difficult to treat. Some common treatments for postherpetic neuralgia include steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical agents.	Partner with MamasHealth.com Sign up for our Email Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust
	Hot Topics: Domestic Violence: A pre-existing condition? Serena: The wanna be vegetarian Personal Story: How I recovered from my Eating Disorder Mama wants to help: Food Bank programs and shelter assistance Lucy Goes Green: Talk dirty to me How to avoid Swine Flu What no one will tell you about tummy tuck surgery Mama's favorite item of the week: Trees for the Future Foods for weight loss Win a Gift Bag filled with Goodies from Stonyfield
	Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use. Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170 ©2000 - 2009 MamasHealth, Inc.™. All rights reserved