What to do with herpes zoster intercostal neuralgia

The most common diseases caused by shingles are skin diseases, such as serious skin diseases such as chickenpox. But shingles is a virus that attacks not only the skin but other body systems as well. Many people also suffer from intercostal neuralgia caused by shingles. This pain is generally severe and unbearable. So how should we treat herpes zoster intercostal neuralgia?

Intercostal neuralgia is a subjective symptom of the patient. The intercostal nerves extend from the thoracic spinal cord to both sides through the intercostals to the anterior chest wall, innervating the muscles of the back and chest wall beside the corresponding thoracic vertebrae and the sensory branches running along the intercostals. Degenerative protrusion of the thoracic intervertebral disc, thickening and ossification of the joint capsule and ligaments often lead to narrowing and deformation of the nerve channels, which can cause inflammation of the intercostal nerves and produce pain. Other diseases that affect the intercostal nerves include thoracic tuberculosis and herpes zoster intercostal neuralgia, which are often extremely painful.

Intercostal neuralgia is mainly characterized by frequent pain in one or several intercostals, which sometimes worsens in paroxysmal fashion and is sometimes triggered by breathing movements. The pain is aggravated by coughing or sneezing. When the pain is severe, it may radiate to the shoulder or back on the same side, sometimes in a band-like distribution. During the examination, hyperesthesia of the corresponding skin area and tenderness of the corresponding rib edges may be found, which are particularly obvious on the back, thoracic side wall, and anterior chest after the intercostal nerves pass through the intervertebral foramen. Some patients may find corresponding symptoms and signs of various primary lesions.

Intercostal neuralgia caused by herpes zoster virus neuritis refers to the invasion of the skin and dorsal root ganglia by the herpes virus, which produces groups of blisters and papules on the skin in the area innervated by the nerves. Blisters are the most common and are arranged in a band-like shape along the intercostal nerves, accompanied by neuralgia in one or several adjacent intercostal nerve distribution areas. When the disease occurs, there are prodromal symptoms such as low fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite, followed by local hyperesthesia, burning sensation, or varying degrees of deep pain in the chest and abdominal wall. The occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia is also related to age and physical condition: in clinical manifestations, patients over 60 years old who have multiple diseases and low immunity are prone to sequelae, and the symptoms will last for a relatively long time, causing a certain impact on the patient's normal life and work.