Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of shingles. If you’ve had chickenpox, you’ll always have the virus in your body. Sometimes the virus becomes active again, causing shingles followed by PHN. Vaccines can prevent both chickenpox and shingles. Pain-relieving medications can manage symptoms. For most people, PHN improves over time.
What is postherpetic neuralgia
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of shingles infection (also called herpes zoster). Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Shingles causes a painful, blistering rash and other symptoms. The rash most commonly occurs in a band pattern on one side of your body, usually on your trunk (central core of your body). The rash turns into blisters. As the rash/blisters go away, pain may remain. When pain remains, the condition is called postherpetic neuralgia.
What does postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) feel like?
You will feel pain in the area where the shingles rash developed. The pain can be constant or “come and go.” Some people describe the pain as burning, jabbing or aching. Others (less common) say the affected area feels numb or itchy.
How long does postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) last?
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) can last for weeks, months, or in some people, years after the shingles rash goes away. In most people, shingles pain goes away in one to three months. However, in one in five people, pain lasts more than one year.
The pain from PHN can be so severe in some people that it disrupts their life. Researchers don’t know why some people have severe or long-lasting pain and others do not.
How common is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)?
Varicella-zoster virus causes both chickenpox and shingles. About 99% of Americans over age 40 have had chickenpox. About one in three people in the U.S. develop shingles in their lifetime. Some 10 to 18% of people who get shingles will develop postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles.
