Post Herpetic Neuralgia Treatment in Cincinnati - APSI Wellness
Expert post-herpetic neuralgia treatment in Cincinnati. Manage persistent nerve pain after shingles at APSI Wellness.
Post Herpetic Neuralgia — Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful nerve condition that persists after a shingles outbreak, causing burning, stabbing, or aching pain in the area where the shingles rash occurred.
What Is Post Herpetic Neuralgia?
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of herpes zoster (shingles). It occurs when nerve fibers damaged during a shingles outbreak continue to send pain signals to the brain long after the rash has healed. PHN is defined as pain persisting for more than 90 days after the onset of the shingles rash.
PHN can be severely debilitating, with pain ranging from constant aching to sharp, shooting, or burning sensations. The risk increases significantly with age — affecting up to 30-50% of shingles patients over age 60.
Symptoms
Burning, stabbing, or shooting pain in the area of the previous shingles rash
Extreme sensitivity to touch (allodynia)
Itching or numbness
Pain that may be constant or intermittent
Sleep disruption and fatigue
Depression and anxiety from chronic pain
Treatment Options at APSI Wellness
Epidural steroid injections — for thoracic or lumbar PHN with nerve root involvement
Intercostal nerve blocks — for rib-area PHN
Stellate ganglion blocks — for facial or upper extremity PHN
Spinal cord stimulation — for severe, refractory cases
Medical management — neuropathic pain medications (gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine), topical treatments (lidocaine patches, capsaicin)
Psychotherapy — coping strategies for chronic pain impact
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does post-herpetic neuralgia last?
PHN duration varies widely. Some patients improve within months, while others experience pain for years. Early and aggressive treatment improves outcomes.
Can post-herpetic neuralgia be prevented?
The shingles vaccine (Shingrix) significantly reduces the risk of both shingles and PHN. Early treatment of an acute shingles outbreak with antiviral medications may also reduce PHN risk.
Why does the pain persist after the rash heals?
The varicella-zoster virus damages nerve fibers during the shingles outbreak. This nerve damage causes ongoing abnormal pain signaling even after the skin heals.
What treatments are most effective for PHN?
A multimodal approach works best, combining neuropathic pain medications with interventional procedures like nerve blocks or epidural injections. Spinal cord stimulation may be considered for severe cases.
APSI Wellness — Advanced Pain Solutions & Interventions
5405 DuPont Circle Suite A, Milford, OH 45150 | Phone: (513) 936-3050
https://apsiwellness.com/conditions/post-herpetic-neuralgia