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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Stinging Pain In Upper Right Side Of Head A Symptom Of Shingles?

Four years ago I was diagnosed with shingles in my head in the form of a rash spread over the side of my head. The symptoms were not the same as those I have seen as shingles in my family. The use of the term rash more describes the symptoms that I experienced. Since that diagnosis I have experienced frequent stinging symptoms on the upper right side of the head. It is more on the surface of the skin rather than deep into the deeper parts of the head. Pain medications do not seem to affect the irritating symptoms nor have they changed significantly over time. Could this result from shingles
Tue, 21 May 2019
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Shingles in adults are caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Patients with the weak immune system are more at prone to develop shingles.

Sometimes, the pain can last more than usual after the rash disappears. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. This is a rare complication caused by nerve damage from the virus. It might require more than one analgesic medication to treat it or combination (tramadol with other non-opioids).

Lidocaine or capsaicin applied locally by healthcare professionals can help.

But the most important thing is to determine if this is postherpetic neuralgia by a neurologist.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Albana Sejdini, General & Family Physician
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Is Stinging Pain In Upper Right Side Of Head A Symptom Of Shingles?

Hello, Shingles in adults are caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Patients with the weak immune system are more at prone to develop shingles. Sometimes, the pain can last more than usual after the rash disappears. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. This is a rare complication caused by nerve damage from the virus. It might require more than one analgesic medication to treat it or combination (tramadol with other non-opioids). Lidocaine or capsaicin applied locally by healthcare professionals can help. But the most important thing is to determine if this is postherpetic neuralgia by a neurologist. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Albana Sejdini, General & Family Physician