Abstract
BackgroundPostherpetic itch has not commonly received attention as a complication of herpes zoster because pain predominates over itch in most patients with herpes zoster. Most cases of postherpetic itch are mild; however, cases of severe postherpetic itch reducing quality of life are rare.Case presentationA 52-year-old woman complained of severe itch in her left pinna and cheek 1 month after the first onset of herpes zoster at the same site. Owing to her scratching, she developed ulcers on her left pinna and cheek. Pregabalin was prescribed, and the itch subsided immediately, with the ulcers disappearing within 1 month.DiscussionSevere itch was thought to be caused by neural injury from herpes zoster. Pregabalin may be a useful treatment option for neuropathic itch induced by herpes zoster.
Highlights
Postherpetic itch has not commonly received attention as a complication of herpes zoster because pain predominates over itch in most patients with herpes zoster
Postherpetic itch (PHI), one of the complications of herpes zoster, may reduce quality of life of patients, similar to that observed in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) [1]
We considered the likely involvement of neurogenic itch to be low because the rash had disappeared
Summary
Postherpetic itch (PHI), one of the complications of herpes zoster, may reduce quality of life of patients, similar to that observed in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) [1]. PHI is not commonly recognized as a complication of herpes zoster because pain predominates over itch for most patients [2,3,4]. Severe PHI subsided after treatment with pregabalin. Case presentation A 52-year-old woman presented at our institution with herpes zoster. She had a medical history of myelodysplastic syndromes, cerebral infarction, and dysthymia treated with fluvoxamine. The aggregated rash with erythema and blisters accompanied by shooting pain and allodynia of the left pinna and cheek was typical of herpes zoster
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