G53.0: Postzoster neuralgia

You have nerve pain following an attack of shingles.

Nerves are a sort of wiring in the body. Nerves conduct information. The nerves use electrical impulses to do this. Nerves are important, for instance, in enabling you to sense contacts and temperatures, and to move your muscles.

Shingles is caused by certain pathogens. These pathogens are viruses. These viruses also cause chickenpox. Once someone has been infected by the chickenpox viruses, the viruses remain hidden in the body for a long time. Sometimes the viruses may break out again after several years and cause shingles. Shingles usually produces small red blisters and pustules on a particular part of the skin. The blisters and pustules usually stay in one half of the body and form a belt pattern. The part of the skin that is affected can be very sore. You can also get a high temperature and headaches and feel very sick.

Your nerves have become inflamed as a result of shingles. When nerves are inflamed it can be very painful. The pain can continue even when the nerves are no longer inflamed. You may also feel an unpleasant tingling or numbness. The skin can also be oversensitive to touch in the affected area.