For most people, shingles lasts about a month, and the symptoms fade with their rash. But some people -- usually older folks -- can feel pain long after their blisters heal.
This condition is called postherpetic neuralgia.
It happens if your nerve fibers become inflamed or damaged during a shingles outbreak. This will send the sensation of tingling or pain to your brain. It can cause ongoing pain, and sometimes it can be severe.
Call your doctor if you’ve had shingles and continue to feel pain in the areas where the blisters were. They may be able to give you treatments to ease your symptoms.
What Does It Feel Like?
You usually feel the pain on one side of your body, where the blisters appeared. The feeling is described as shooting, sharp, or stabbing. Other signs you have neuralgia include:
It hurts to be touched: Sometimes, you can’t bear clothing rubbing on your skin. You might feel discomfort from a light breeze.
Long-lasting pain: This condition can last 3 months or longer after the shingles rash has healed. In some people, it’s permanent. For most, it gets better over time.
Other sensations: Sometimes, you might feel burning, itching, tingling, or aching along with the shooting feelings. Some people feel numb or get headaches.
You may also get a fever and generally feel worn out. If you had blisters on your face, you’re more likely to get the neuralgia.
Should I Call My Doctor?
If you think you have shingles, call your doctor right away. Early treatment can lower your chances of getting postherpetic neuralgia.
Make an appointment if you have pain that is severe or lasts longer than one week after your shingles has run its course. This is especially true for people older than age 60, who are more likely to have this condition afterward.
Your doctor can talk to you about a mix of medications and other treatments to make you feel better.
What About a Vaccine?
There is currently one vaccine available in the U.S. to prevent shingles. Shingrix (RZV) was approved in 2017 and it is more than 90% effective in preventing shingles. With Shingrix, you get two shots between 2 and 6 months apart and protection lasts an estimated 4-5 years. Doctors recommend it for people over 50 as well as those aged 18 years and older who are or will be at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy.
Even if you still get it, the vaccine can shorten the period of pain and reduce your risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. Once you’ve gotten shingles, though, getting the vaccines won’t do anything to stop postherpetic neuralgia.
Talk to your doctor about Shingrix if you’ve had chickenpox but haven’t gotten shingles. The same virus causes both, and chickenpox always comes first.