Post Herpetic Neuralgia- A Case Report

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus (VZV), which lies latent in the dorsal root ganglion, reactivates at times to cause an acute, self-limiting neuro-cutaneous viral infection known as Herpes Zoster (HZ). Commonly affects elderly and immunocompromised patients. Infection usually presents as a vesicular rash limiting to a single area of ​​skin and is characterized by unilateral pain, burning and tingling, sometimes leading to Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN). PHN which is the common complication of HZ, is usually a constant or intermittent burning, stabbing or sharp shooting pain with hyperalgesia or allodynia, persisting beyond the healing of herpetic skin lesions noted. Here is a case report of PHN evolved from HZ in elderly female affecting all 3 branches of trigeminal nerve with unilateral vesicle over right eyelid and mild pain & swelling on right side of upper and lower lip area with intra-oral involvement of labial mucosa of the same side. Though PHN improves overtime, early diagnosis and treating them improves prognosis and reduces emotional burden especially in older individuals.