Postherpetic Neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia is neuropathic pain that occurs due to damage to a peripheral nerve caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. It is defined as pain in a dermatomal distribution that lasts for at least 90 days after an outbreak of herpes zoster. Several types of pain may occur, including continuous burning pain, episodes of severe shooting or electric-like pain, and a heightened sensitivity to gentle touch that would not otherwise cause pain or to painful stimuli, and abnormal sensations and itching may also occur.