Risk Factors for Postherpetic Neuralgia
One of the risk factors associated with postherpetic neuralgia is the person’s age. The older a person is when they develop shingles, the most likely it is for such person to develop postherpetic neuralgia, and it is predominant in the female sex. Postherpetic neuralgia is actually very rare in younger people, while for old people over the age of 60 have a 50% – 60% chance, while people above the age of 70 have a 70% – 75% chance of developing it after getting shingles as this as a result of subclinical polyneuropathy.
Also, another risk factor is family. For those who have close family members who have developed postherpetic neuralgia are at a higher risk of PHN, than people who don’t have any family record. Also, for those who already have a chronic disease such as diabetes are also at a risk. When your shingles antiviral treatments are delayed for over 72 hours after the rash disappears, it is also a risk factor for postherpetic neuralgia. Also, people who have severe rash during shingles and acute pain are known to have a higher risk for developing it.