
If you’re older and develop shingles, you’re more likely to develop PHN and have longer lasting and more severe pain than a younger person with shingles. Older age: The chance of developing postherpetic neuralgia increases with age.

Who is at risk of getting postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)?įactors that increase the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) include: Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles. Some 10 to 18% of people who get shingles will develop postherpetic neuralgia. About 99% of Americans over age 40 have had chickenpox. Varicella-zoster virus causes both chickenpox and shingles. How common is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)? Researchers don’t know why some people have severe or long-lasting pain and others do not. The pain from PHN can be so severe in some people that it disrupts their life. However, in one in five people, pain lasts more than one year. In most people, shingles pain goes away in one to three months. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) can last for weeks, months, or in some people, years after the shingles rash goes away. How long does postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) last? Others (less common) say the affected area feels numb or itchy. The pain can be constant or “come and go.” Some people describe the pain as burning, jabbing or aching. You will feel pain in the area where the shingles rash developed. What does postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) feel like?

When pain remains, the condition is called postherpetic neuralgia. As the rash/blisters go away, pain may remain. The rash most commonly occurs in a band pattern on one side of your body, usually on your trunk (central core of your body).

Shingles causes a painful, blistering rash and other symptoms. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of shingles infection (also called herpes zoster).
