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A member asked:
Is shingles painful?
15 doctors weighed in across 4 answers
Yes: Shingles is a virus that reactivates in sensory nerves and as a result leads to pain. Antivirals are given to help but the pain can last for awhile.
Answered 1/24/2015
6k views
Absolutely!: If pain persists after the rash is gone - postherpetic neuralgia (phn) - it needs to be treated aggressively so it does not last forever. The greater the severity and duration of the rash, the more like you are to have phn. Also, the older you are when you have shingles, the more likely you are to have phn. See a board certified pain specialist for help. Don't accept that it will just "go away.".
Answered 8/22/2018
6k views
Nerve damage: Shingles is an infection of nerve roots coming from the spinal cord and the nerve inflammation can be very painful.
Answered 8/14/2020
6.1k views
Peripheral pain: Varicella zoster virus usually stays dormant in the ganglion of the spinal cord. Under certain conditions the virus migrates to peripheral dermatomes of certain thoracic areas causing intense pain.
Answered 10/6/2012
5.6k views
Related Questions
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I had my 2nd shingles bout 2 months ago. The blisters have cleared w marks left. Why is it painful again today? Is it coming back?
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I have shingles and have had it for four days and it still jhasn't blistered or erupted---just itchy and painful Will it go away faster or not blister?
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Can I have shingles on the cheek of my bottom? Pain in cheek small lump itchy and painful taken acivlobir several doses but not working what could it
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