If pain remains after the blisters have dried up and gone away, you have postherpetic neuralgia. The pain is due to damage to the nerves. One or more of these conditions can cause the virus to become active again. If shingles results, so does the the possibility of postherpetic neuralgia. The pain of postherpetic neuralgia may be stabbing, aching, burning, and constant.
Some people can become overwhelmed and depressed by having to cope with ongoing pain daily.
There are no special tests for postherpetic neuralgia. The diagnosis is based on having pain that persists long after the rash of shingles has disappeared. A variety of treatments have been tried to ease the pain of postherpetic neuralgia. What is effective for one person, won't be for another. If a treatment does not work, tell your health care provider.