Permanent itching after shingles

Posted , 26 users are following.

it is over a year ago that I had shingles and the itching all around my eye and forehead has never gone away. I was told a few times at the eye clinic, that it takes time, but has anyone else suffered with this for so long??!! I use antihistamine cream and eye drops, but I think I have this awful problem forever! Luckily it isn't all day long but it IS every singfle day and makes life fairly miserable a lot of the time!

4 likes, 53 replies

53 Replies

Prev Next
  • Posted

    Dear Jane,

    Sorry to hear about your itching issues. Have you tried prescription gabapentin (Neurotin)? I take it for nerve pain and post herpetic neuralgia. Vistaril might also help. I am a RN who has endured multiple shingles attacks. I also work on the neuroscience step down unit dealing with patients with neurological conditions. Shingles affects the nerves, and while it is a dermatological condition, it is also a neurological condition that can leave one with neuro symptoms such as pain and itching. Good luck to you.

    • Posted

      Hello

      I had shingles like two months ago and I still have the stabbing pain on occasions.  The itching comes and go!  Cold water eases the itch and there are days that the itching is worse!  Can it stay permanently?

    • Posted

      You need to get the vaccine when the shingles clear up and I've had it for almost 2 years and still going to neurologist to find out how much damage you did

    • Posted

      Kimberly, I had shingles all 2 years ago and it's still dealing with the pain and going to a neurologist. They ran a MRI and a EEG results come in Tuesday

    • Posted

      I had the Vax (double dose), about 2 years later I got one of the worse cases of Shingles my doctor ever has seen, it was just awful! I now deal with the constant itching months later which so far nothing has worked.

  • Posted

    Hi Jane,

    I got shingles in November and have had itching and nerve pain for several months. Everyone is different in how their body reacts to the shingles virus.

    Itching is considered pain by the medical community. So, what you are experiencing is a normal reaction for some people as the after effects of shingles.

    It may go on for a long time but I have been told that it often lessens with time. There are ways you can help ease your symptoms😁Read through the posts on this thread for some suggestions. Trying to take your mind off your itching by focussing on something fun or relaxing can help.

    • Posted

      Hello 

      I had shingles a few months ago and the itching was terrible till it started to be less and less!  I still get stabbing pain and I noticed that some pimple like came out again on my scalp!  Not as much as the first time maybe one or three scattered around the scalp, but do you think that shingles are back but less aggressive?

    • Posted

      I don't know but after my shingles started to go away, I broke out in a nasty skin condition on my legs. The GP said it was a streptococcal eczema which had to be treated as it was becoming infected. He said it was a knock on effect of the shingles. Might be worth treating the pimples before they get worse?

  • Posted

    Jane, I have had it for 8 months now and i have went to several doctors including the Hosipital, Eye doctors, and even a doctor of infectious diseases. they had me on heavy pain pills there I couldn't get of the sofa. I stopped that after about 3 month. I've used creams and even Lyrica. The last 3 month there has been very little change if any. I had it on my forhead, above my eye but not in it, and my scalp. The big problem is I don't feel like doing anything. my next move is an acupuncture doctor. I doubt it will work but I don't know where else to go. Good luck with yours 

    • Posted

      Thank you. I have given up trying to find something to stop the itching around my eye and forehead, as it seems to be permanent, due to the damaged nerves! I have an appointment at the eye clinic soon, as they still check my sight etc, so far it has been ok, and the scar on the cornea is not in my line of vision which was a relief!! I wish you luck too!
  • Posted

     I have been itching in the area I had shingles for almost a year. It's so aggravating.  It comes and goes, so it's not constant.  My niece had shingles several years ago and still feels pain and itching.

    Thankfully (if there's really anything to be thankful about with shingles),  I had it along my rib cage and not on my face. I can't imagine feeling this around my eye/face. It may be too strong for around the eye, but I relieve my itching with peppermint essential oil. A few drops with some coconut oil and I feel relief for up to 2 hours.  

    • Posted

      Thanks, my sister has just given me some pure organic coconut oil, and she didn''t  know it helped itching, she just bought it because she knows I love the smell of it, so I am going to try it on my eyelid as I have read before that it helps, so hopefully......!!

    • Posted

      I don't know that the coconut oil, by itself, will relieve the itching. But, with an essential oil like peppermint or lavender, your skin will absorb them better when they're mixed in with coconut oil.  

    • Posted

      I find relief from both pain and itching using organic aloe vera gel mixed with Cera Ve anti itch cream. Cera Ve is very good at relieving itching.

      What you have to keep in mind is that the symptoms of shingles and how people react to them as well as the after effects of the disease are all completely different for each person. So, what relieves the pain and itching for one person may not for another. That is what is so frustrating about this illness. The same is true for PHN. For many, the pain goes away slowly after time, for others, it stays forever and still for some they have no nerve pain at all. 

  • Posted

    I was recently diagnosed with shingles in my left eye. Taking oral antivirals & antiviral cream to my eye. Eye is definitely better. Had minor pain in the eyelid (not excruciating pain like some people have talked about. Thank goodness!) Biggest discomfort is itching---sometimes in my eye, but mostly along shoulder blades, upper back. Sometimes it itches on my forehead or under my chin. I've not had any blisters (other than under my left eyelid). I've been using Calamine lotion & most of the time, the itching settles down.  Most often occurs after a shower & at night. Just try to remain calm, apply the calamine lotion & wait for it to subside. Easier said than done! But overall, my symptoms are minor. Just shows how shingles affects people differently!! Feeling exhausted as well. Just trying to rest as much as possible. I think I'm slowly getting better. I see the ophthalmologist on Tuesday. 

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.