After-Shingles Pain Symptoms

The early signs of shingles can easily be mistaken for another illness. Some people begin by feeling a burning or shooting pain, numbness, tingling or itching in one area of the body or face. Others may feel mild, flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, chills and nausea. One day to two weeks after the pain begins, a rash or cluster of blisters appears on the skin1. If you or your loved ones notice any of these early signs, you should see your healthcare professional immediately, because early treatment of shingles can decrease the amount of time you suffer from the painful condition2.

Though a rash and blisters are symptomatic of shingles, an outbreak may begin without them, so it is important to recognize the other signs and symptoms that accompany the rash. Sometimes, though uncommon, shingles will occur without a rash, which is called zoster sine herpete1. In rare cases, a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation or death3.

After the shingles rash has healed, if you feel pain in the same area where the rash was, you may have postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) or after-shingles pain. People usually describe PHN pain as burning, aching, itching and sharp4 and the pain can be constant or it can come and go2. The size of the area where you feel the pain may be larger or smaller than the area of the actual shingles rash1.

For many after-shingles pain (PHN) sufferers, the most disabling part of the pain is the severe skin sensitivity, which is called allodynia4. The skin may be unusually sensitive to even the lightest touch, smallest draft or slightest change in temperature. For example, a gentle breeze or the feel of clothing may cause extreme pain for some PHN patients2.

Some rare symptoms of PHN can include:

  • Abnormal skin temperature and color
  • Sweating in the PHN area
  • Loss of muscle tone4
After-Shingles Pain Treatment Options
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Important Safety Information

LIDODERM® (lidocaine patch 5%) is used to relieve the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia, also referred to as after-shingles pain. Apply only to intact skin with no blisters.

You should not use this product if you are sensitive to local anesthetics such as lidocaine, or to any of the other ingredients in LIDODERM.

Even a used LIDODERM patch contains a large amount of lidocaine. A small child or a pet could suffer serious adverse effects from chewing or swallowing a new or used LIDODERM patch. Store and dispose of patches out of the reach of children, pets and others. Never reuse a patch.

LIDODERM patches should be worn for no more than 12 hours a day. Applying the patches for a longer time or using more than 3 patches could cause serious reactions.

Fold used patches so that the adhesive side sticks to itself, and safely discard used patches or pieces of cut patches where children and pets cannot get to them.

Avoid the use of external heat sources, such as heating pads or electric blankets, as this has not been studied.

Avoid contact of LIDODERM with the eye. If contact occurs, immediately wash the eye with water or saline and protect it until sensation returns.

Be sure to tell your healthcare professional if you have liver disease, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking medication for irregular heartbeat. For such people, LIDODERM should be used with caution.

Allergic reactions, though rare, can occur.

During or immediately after using LIDODERM, the skin around the patch may develop a change in color, colored spots, irritation, itching, flaking of the skin, rash, bruising, swelling, pimple-like raised skin, a cyst containing fluid, pain, burning, or abnormal sensation. These reactions are generally mild and go away on their own within a few minutes to hours. Other reactions may include dizziness, headache, and nausea. Tell your healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms while using LIDODERM.

Only your healthcare professional can determine if LIDODERM is right for you. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions when using LIDODERM.

Please see the LIDODERM important product information and discuss it with your healthcare provider.

References

  1. Shingles & PHN: Your Questions Answered, VZV Research Foundation, Inc 2000: 1-12. Available at: http://vzvfoundation.org/publicdownloads/Shingles_PHN_Q&A_2000.pdf. Accessed April 6, 2009
  2. Cure PHN: Your Questions Answered, VZV Research Foundation, Inc. 2004: 1-6. Available at: http://www.vzvfoundation.org/publicdownloads/PHN_Brochure_Feb2004.pdf. Accessed April 6, 2009
  3. Shingles Vaccine: What You Need to Know. Department of Health and Human Services: Centers for Disease Control. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-shingles.pdf. Accessed February 20, 2009
  4. Galer BS. Advances in the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia: The Topical Lidocaine Patch. Today’s Therapeutic Trends. 2000; 1-20