Medical Questions » Skin Questions » Question No. 875
| Question: | I have severe pain after I had shingles on my chest 6 months ago. Can you help me? |
| Answer: | Shingles is a viral infection of one particular nerve. Anywhere on the body can be affected.
Post-herpetic neuralgia is a severe pain that persists in the affected area long after the skin rash and blisters of shingles have gone. The pain can be quite excruciating, and the slightest touch of clothing can trigger off spasms of agony. It is a most unpleasant condition!
Shingles can now be cured by a course of specific antiviral tablets, that are available on prescription, but unfortunately they will not help you as they must be started within three days of the rash appearing.
Once post-herpetic pain is present, treatments are not particularly successful. Pain killers are certainly used, but often prove ineffective. Anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-depressants and sedatives can all be tried. In the end, some patients have injections or surgery to destroy the affected nerve, leaving a permanent numb patch at the site of the infection.
If you are not receiving adequate relief you should arrange for your GP to refer you to a physician or a pain clinic for further assessment.
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