Postherpetic neuralgia (PZZ) refers to the skin allergy symptoms that some patients may experience after shingles has healed. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Usually, after infection with chickenpox, the virus remains latent in nerve tissue. When immunity declines, the virus is activated, leading to shingles. After shingles heals, some patients may experience persistent skin allergy symptoms; this phenomenon is called postherpetic neuralgia or postherpetic neuralgia.
The mechanism of postherpetic neuralgia is complex, involving damage and inflammation of the nervous system. When the varicella-zoster virus is activated and spreads along nerve fibers, it damages nerve tissue, triggering an inflammatory response. This inflammation is not limited to the skin but can also affect other parts of the nervous system. After shingles heals, the damaged nerve tissue may remain in an inflammatory state, leading to allergic skin symptoms. These symptoms may manifest as persistent itching, erythema, and pain, causing discomfort to the patient.
The risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) lies in its potential to severely impact a patient's quality of life. While the exact causes of PHN are not fully understood, it is certain to be related to damage and inflammation of the nervous system. Treatment for PHN involves not only addressing the skin symptoms but also focusing on the recovery of the nervous system. This may include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and neuroprotective agents. Treatment effectiveness may vary from person to person, and some patients may require long-term treatment to alleviate symptoms. Patients need to be psychologically prepared for PHN treatment and should follow their doctor's instructions.
[Management Tip:]
1. Regularly monitor nerve function and skin condition to promptly detect and treat skin allergy symptoms.
2. Adjust your lifestyle habits, avoid overwork and mental stress, and maintain good sleep quality.
3. If persistent skin itching, erythema, pain or other symptoms occur, seek medical attention promptly for professional treatment.
