Postzosteric neuralgia B02.2+G53.0*

Persistence or recurrence of neuropathic pain after a herpes zoster infection. The persistent pain is often felt as unbearable, segmental pain with a typical shooting character. It is also referred to as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Post-zosteric neuralgia is a neuropathic pain syndrome that lasts longer than 4 weeks and only occurs 3 months (>90 days) after the typical skin changes, usually after a pain-free interval. Post-zosteric neuralgia can significantly impair the quality of life of those affected. Approximately 10-30% of all >50-year-olds suffer from this complication of zoster, 70% of >70-year-olds and 90% of immunosuppressed patients. The pain is perceived differently as:

• constantly persistent
• irregularly recurring
• shooting in like a flash (as with light electrical contacts)
• allodynic, occurring at the slightest touch.

For further details see below. Zoster neuralgia