If diagnosed early, oral anti-viral drugs can be prescribed to decrease both viral shedding and the duration of skin lesions. These drugs occasionally cause headache, stomach upset or lightheadedness. The earlier treatment is started the better. These drugs do not seem to prevent post-herpetic neuralgia, but may shorten its duration. Corticosteroids, sometimes in combination with anti-viral drugs, also are used for severe infection, such as in the eyes, and to reduce severe pain.
Nerve blocks can also help to control pain.
Post-herpetic neuralgia can be treated with an oral medication at night and frequent use of pain relievers during the day. The oral medications are called anti-depressants and anti seizure medicines but are also used to treat other painful conditions. An ointment containing capsaicin, an extract of pepper, is helpful for some people. The ointment is applied to painful areas of the skin three to four times a day and the pain gradually eases over one to three weeks. Locate a dermatologist in your area .