Treatment of herpes zoster and postzoster neuralgia by subcutaneous injection of triamcinolone.

Based on a study of 400 patients (272 patients with herpes zoster and 128 with postzoster neuralgia), the subcutaneous injection of triamcinolone in saline is concluded to be a safe and effective measure for reducing pain. The acute eruption and symptoms of herpes zoster cleared in an average of less than four days. Postzoster neuralgia developed in only 2.9% of the patients, although nearly 70% of these patients were more than 50 years of age. In cases of postzoster neuralgia, 35% cleared completely; 28.9% improved enough so that they could live with the occasional pain, itching, or numbness, and therapy was not beneficial for an additional 15.6%, and it failed in 18.7% of the cases. The results were satisfactory in 63.9% of the patients, and the side effects were minimal.