What Causes Shingles Pain?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in the body for years. If it reactivates later in life, it causes shingles, often marked by a painful, blistering rash.
While the rash itself may heal within a few weeks, some patients develop a complication called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)—a chronic nerve pain condition that can persist for months or even years after the shingles outbreak. This pain can be sharp, burning, or aching, and often affects the area where the rash originally appeared.
Understanding Shingles-Related Nerve Pain
Shingles pain stems from inflammation and damage to the nerves beneath the skin. Even after the skin appears normal, those nerves can continue sending pain signals to the brain. This makes shingles pain especially frustrating, it often feels out of proportion to what’s visible on the outside.
For some, the pain is constant. For others, it comes and goes, worsens at night, or flares up when the skin is touched. Early treatment is key to managing these symptoms and reducing the risk of long-term complications.
How We Treat Shingles Pain
At Mays & Schnapp, we take a personalized approach to managing shingles pain. Your care plan will be tailored to your specific symptoms, overall health, and how long the pain has been present.
Treatment may involve a combination of strategies. Medications such as antiviral drugs, nerve pain relievers, or topical creams can help reduce inflammation and calm irritated nerves. For more persistent pain, we may recommend targeted nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, or infusion therapy to interrupt pain signals and provide relief.
Our goal is to relieve your discomfort, restore your function, and help you return to the life you enjoy.
What You Can Do for Shingles Prevention
The best way to prevent shingles is by getting vaccinated. The CDC recommends that healthy adults age 50 and older receive two doses of the Shingrix® vaccine for long-lasting protection.
If you do develop shingles, several antiviral medications (such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir) can help shorten the duration and reduce the severity of symptoms. Because shingles often causes intense pain, the CDC also advises using over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers to manage discomfort.
To ease itching and irritation, you can try home remedies like cool, wet compresses, calamine lotion, or soothing colloidal oatmeal baths.
