post herpetic neuralgia
What is postherpetic neuralgia?
Apostherpetic neuralgiais the name given to the pain that remains in the affected area after an event ofherpes zoster.
Despite the name Herpes-zoster, the causative virus is the virusvaricella zoster, the same as chicken pox.
In some people who have hadchickenpoxAt some point in life, there may be a reactivation of the virus, usually in episodes of low immunity, predisposed by: moments of stress, infections, or age itself, being much more common in the elderly.
In herpes zoster, a reddish area appears, with blisters and generally associated with a lot of pain, which makes it difficult even to put on shirts! Most of the time it occurs only on one side of the body and can occur anywhere part of the body, from the face, limbs and trunk.
But there can be herpes zoster without skin damage! Presenting only with pain.
we call it zoster sine herpeteand the diagnosis is usually even more difficult.
Apainit can occur in the form of burning, shocks or quick stabs, with pain even when touched or in contact with clothes.
The pain may only last for a few days, but in many cases it can persist for much longer, even for life (although not as common).
Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia
Otreatment of postherpetic neuralgiaIt aims to reduce the frequency and intensity of pain, as it can last for weeks or even months.
Drugs also used for other purposes are used, such as anticonvulsant drugs (pregabalin, gabapentin, topiramate) and others also used as antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, duloxetine), all with variable efficacy, depending on the patient and other conditions.
More recently, an option has been the treatment with botulinum toxin, whose studies are promising, with few adverse effects, depending on the location of the pain.