Clinical characteristics of headache or facial pain prior to the development of acute herpes zoster of the head

In 70 –80% of patients with herpes zoster, a prodrome of dermatomal pain begins several days before the appearance of the characteristic rash [1]. This pain has been described as sharp, stabbing, tender, shooting, throbbing, itching and hot. Herpes zoster with craniocervical involvement tends to be more severe and cause greater pain [2]. When physicians encounter patients with headache or facial pain (preeruptive pain) associated with acute herpes zoster of the head before the characteristic skin eruptions appear (preeruptive phase), they often find it difficult to make clinical impressions and pr oceed with appropriate diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Source: Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery - Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Source Type: research