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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Intermittent Pain On Right Side Of Scalp, Swollen. Had Mild Case Of Shingles Years Ago. Underlying Cause?

I have shooting intermittent pains on right side of my scalp, and it also appears slightly swolen, I've had no injuries to my head, the pain and swelling is in a 3x5 area behind to above the right ear on the scalp.
This is the 2nd time in as many months, it feels a little like when I had a very mild case of shingles in the scalp about 5 years ago.
Fri, 15 Nov 2013
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
hi. Shingles is commonly accompanied by neuralgic pains, shooting or burning or stabbing pains. This is commonly called as Herpes associated neuralgia (HAN). However when it persists long after Shingles has resolved (usually past 1 month) then it is called as Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) i. e pain lasting 1 month after episode of shingles. Its due to inflammation and scarring of nerves affected by the episode of shingles. Treatment is effective but sometimes lasts months or years specially in old age group of patients:

options are:
NSAIDS
Tricyclic antidepressants(Amytriptyline, nortriptyline)
Gapapentin/Pregabalin
Carbamazepine
Topical Capsaicin gel/cream
Topical Lidocaine gel/cream

i would advice consultation with a dermatologist and work out the best treatment options for you.

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Intermittent Pain On Right Side Of Scalp, Swollen. Had Mild Case Of Shingles Years Ago. Underlying Cause?

hi. Shingles is commonly accompanied by neuralgic pains, shooting or burning or stabbing pains. This is commonly called as Herpes associated neuralgia (HAN). However when it persists long after Shingles has resolved (usually past 1 month) then it is called as Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) i. e pain lasting 1 month after episode of shingles. Its due to inflammation and scarring of nerves affected by the episode of shingles. Treatment is effective but sometimes lasts months or years specially in old age group of patients: options are: NSAIDS Tricyclic antidepressants(Amytriptyline, nortriptyline) Gapapentin/Pregabalin Carbamazepine Topical Capsaicin gel/cream Topical Lidocaine gel/cream i would advice consultation with a dermatologist and work out the best treatment options for you.