From the Guidelines
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) symptoms include burning, tingling, itchy, tender, and sharp pain.
Characteristics of PHN
- The pain is typically continuous and moderate to severe in intensity 1
- It occurs at the site of herpes zoster and can be aggravated by light touch or eating 1
- Allodynia (pain from non-painful stimuli) and hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain) are common associated factors 1
- The pain can be burning, stinging, or aching in nature, and may be accompanied by photophobia and wind hyperalgesia in some cases 1
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis is often based on a thorough examination and assessment of symptoms, as well as the use of questionnaires such as the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI)-Eye or the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) 1
- Treatment options include neuropathic pain medications such as gabapentin, pregabalin, and tricyclic antidepressants, as well as topical therapies like lidocaine patches and capsaicin 1
- In some cases, intrathecal therapy with lidocaine and methylprednisolone may be effective in providing long-lasting analgesia 1
From the Research
Symptoms of Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
- Persistent pain following the resolution of a herpes zoster rash 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Constant, intermittent, or stimulus-evoked pain 3, 5
- Burning, stabbing, or sharp shooting pain with hyperalgesia or allodynia 6
- Steady, aching, boring pain and paroxysmal lancinating pain, usually exacerbated by contact with the involved skin 5
- Pain can persist for months or even years after resolution of the HZ mucocutaneous eruptions 4
Characteristics of PHN
- Affects a significant proportion of HZ patients, with the elderly being most frequently and seriously affected 3
- Can have a severe impact on the patient's quality of life and functional ability 3
- Highly resistant to current treatments 3
- Can induce psychosocial dysfunction and negatively impact quality of life 4