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Post-herpetic neuralgia - Background information
What is it?
- Post-herpetic neuralgia occurs when the pain associated with shingles becomes chronic [Wilson, 2007]. Definitions of post-herpetic neuralgia differ in terms of the time of onset and duration of pain, and this has resulted in difficulty estimating the prevalence of the disease [Christo et al, 2007]:
- One source estimates that approximately 20% of people will continue to experience pain after the shingles rash heals [Tyring, 2007].
- People with post-herpetic neuralgia can experience [Johnson and Whitton, 2004; Schmader, 2007]:
- Constant pain, which may be burning, aching, or throbbing.
- Intermittent stabbing or shooting pain.
- Allodynia (pain induced by a usually non-painful stimulus; e.g. heat, cold, wind, or draught).
- Hyperalgesia (severe pain from a normally mildly painful stimulus).
- Intense itching.
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