Most people with shingles recover quickly and suffer no long-term effects. However, nerve injury can take longer to heal and the pain of shingles can persist long after the rash has gone. This pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Post-herpetic neuralgia can occur after a shingles episode at any age but is more common and may last longer in older people. Often the area affected by post-herpetic neuralgia is extremely sensitive to heat, cold and even clothing. If post-herpetic neuralgia occurs, it may last several weeks or months before going away.