Question 1

What is Postherpetic Neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Postherpetic neuralgia is persistent nerve pain that continues for months or years after a shingles rash has healed. It is caused by damage to nerve fibers from the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation during a shingles outbreak. The Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibodies IgG test is the most important test for confirming past VZV infection that can lead to this condition.

Question 2

What causes postherpetic neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Postherpetic neuralgia is caused by nerve damage from the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) during a shingles outbreak. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus can reactivate as shingles, causing a painful rash along nerve pathways. When the shingles infection damages these nerve fibers, they can send confused and exaggerated pain signals to your brain that persist long after the rash heals, resulting in chronic nerve pain.

Question 3

What is the best test for postherpetic neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

The Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibodies IgG test is the most important blood test for postherpetic neuralgia because it detects antibodies that confirm past exposure to the varicella-zoster virus from either chickenpox or shingles infection. While postherpetic neuralgia itself is diagnosed clinically based on your symptoms and medical history rather than blood work, this antibody test is valuable when your initial shingles episode was mild, went undiagnosed, or occurred years earlier. The presence of VZV IgG antibodies helps your healthcare provider understand the underlying viral cause of your persistent nerve pain and supports the clinical diagnosis.

Question 4

When should I get tested for postherpetic neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you experience persistent burning, stabbing, or shooting pain in an area where you previously had a shingles rash, especially if the pain continues for three months or more after the rash healed. Testing is also recommended if you have unexplained chronic nerve pain with extreme sensitivity to touch or temperature changes in a band-like pattern on one side of your body, particularly if you are over 60 years old or have a weakened immune system. Getting tested early helps confirm the diagnosis and allows you to start appropriate pain management treatments sooner.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Postherpetic neuralgia symptoms include burning, sharp, stabbing, or shooting pain in the area where the shingles rash appeared. You might notice extreme sensitivity to touch or temperature changes, where even light clothing or a gentle breeze causes severe discomfort. Some people experience numbness, tingling, or itching in the affected area, along with occasional shooting pains that feel like electric shocks. The pain typically follows a band-like pattern on one side of the body or face and can significantly interfere with sleep, daily activities, and quality of life.

Question 6

Who is at risk for postherpetic neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

People over 60 years old have the highest risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia after a shingles outbreak, as nerve damage becomes more likely with age. You face increased risk if you had severe pain or an extensive rash during your shingles infection, especially if the rash affected your face or torso. Other risk factors include having a weakened immune system from conditions like HIV, cancer, or immunosuppressive medications, experiencing shingles before age 40, or delaying antiviral treatment for more than 72 hours after the rash appeared.

Question 7

What happens if postherpetic neuralgia is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated postherpetic neuralgia can lead to chronic, debilitating pain that significantly impacts your quality of life for months or even years. The persistent nerve pain can cause severe sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, and social isolation as daily activities become increasingly difficult. Without proper pain management, you may develop limited mobility in the affected area, increased sensitivity that makes wearing clothes or bathing painful, and dependency on ineffective over-the-counter medications. Early treatment is essential because nerve pain can become more resistant to therapy over time, making it harder to achieve adequate relief.

Question 8

Can postherpetic neuralgia be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Postherpetic neuralgia cannot be directly diagnosed with a blood test, as it is primarily a clinical diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination. However, the Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibodies IgG blood test can confirm that you had a past VZV infection from chickenpox or shingles, which supports the diagnosis when you have characteristic nerve pain symptoms. This testing is particularly helpful when your previous shingles episode was mild, occurred years ago, or went undiagnosed, helping your doctor understand the root cause of your persistent nerve pain.

Question 9

How is postherpetic neuralgia treated?

Accepted Answer

Postherpetic neuralgia is treated with medications specifically designed for nerve pain, including anticonvulsants like gabapentin and pregabalin, which calm overactive nerve signals. Your doctor might prescribe topical treatments like lidocaine patches or capsaicin cream to numb the affected area and reduce pain signals from the skin. Antidepressants such as amitriptyline or duloxetine can help by altering brain chemistry that affects pain perception, while stronger cases may require prescription pain medications, nerve blocks, or spinal cord stimulation. A combination approach tailored to your specific symptoms typically provides the best relief.

Question 10

How can I prevent postherpetic neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

The most effective prevention is getting the shingles vaccine, which significantly reduces your risk of developing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia, especially if you are over 50 years old. If you do develop shingles, starting antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir within 72 hours of rash onset can reduce the severity and duration of the infection and lower your risk of nerve damage. Managing pain aggressively during the acute shingles phase with appropriate medications and maintaining a strong immune system through healthy lifestyle habits also helps prevent long-term nerve complications.

Question 11

What can I do at home for postherpetic neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

At home, you can apply cool, damp compresses to the painful area for temporary relief and wear loose, soft clothing to minimize skin irritation and pressure on sensitive nerves. Try gentle movement and stretching exercises to maintain mobility without overexerting the affected area, and practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or deep breathing to help manage chronic pain. Some people find relief using over-the-counter topical creams containing capsaicin or lidocaine, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule despite pain, and keeping a pain diary to identify triggers and track what helps. However, home remedies should complement, not replace, medical treatment for this challenging condition.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
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Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
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Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
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Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
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Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
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Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

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Postherpetic Neuralgia Blood Test

What is Postherpetic Neuralgia?

What causes postherpetic neuralgia?

What is the best test for postherpetic neuralgia?

When should I get tested for postherpetic neuralgia?

References

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