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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffComplications from shingles can range from a mild to severe, ranging from minor skin infections to postherpetic neuralgia.
Postherpetic neuralgia
For some people, shingles pain continues long after the blisters have cleared. This condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia, and it occurs when damaged nerve fibers send confused and exaggerated messages of pain from your skin to your brain. Pain medication, antidepressants or anticonvulsant medications may help provide relief until the pain subsides.
Vision loss
Shingles in or around an eye (ophthalmic shingles) can cause painful eye infections that may result in vision loss.
Neurological problems
Depending upon which nerves are affected, shingles can cause:
- Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain
- Hearing or balance problems
- Facial paralysis
Skin infections
If shingles blisters aren't properly treated, bacterial skin infections may develop.
- Shingles: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shingles/detail_shingles.htm. Accessed June 17, 2009.
- Ferri FF. Herpes zoster. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/143941389-3/853489074/1701/269.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50011-2--subchapter24_5768. Accessed June 17, 2009.
- Shingles disease: Questions and answers (herpes zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/dis-faqs.htm. Accessed June 17, 2009.
- Albrecht MA. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of varicella-zoster virus infection: Herpes zoster. http://uptodate.com/home/index/html. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- AgePage: Shingles. National Institute on Aging. http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/shingles.asp. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine Q&A. Centers for Disease and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/varicella/vac-faqs-gen.htm. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Herpes zoster vaccine Q&A (Shingles). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/vac-faqs.htm. Accessed June 18, 2009.
