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Chapter 26 - Post-herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

from Part VI - Misc

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2023

By
Nazir Noor  and
Nolan Weinstein
Edited by
Omar Viswanath  and
Ivan Urits
Omar Viswanath
Affiliation:
Creighton University, Omaha
Ivan Urits
Affiliation:
Southcoast Brain & Spine Center, Wareham
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Summary

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common, painful reaction following herpes zoster (HZ) infection. There have been one million cases of HZ per year, with 20% resulting in PHN, which is the prevalent condition that significantly reduces the quality of life in affected individuals. There is increased nociception in dermatomal region following typical HZ rash. The strongest risk factor is increasing age, and the FDA recommends all people age >50 to get vaccinated as a prevention. First-line treatments include topical capsaicin, lidocaine, and pharmacological management with TCAs and Calcium channel a2d ligands. Myriad of other treatment options are available, many with conflicting evidence.

Keywords

post-herpetic neuralgiaherpes zosterneuralgiapainful vesiclessteroidsantivirals
Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Handbook of Pain Medicine , pp. 213 - 219
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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