ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Acute Neuritis and Acute Neuralgia

Why Nerve Pain Hurts So Much—And What You Can Do About It

What Are They, and Why Do They Hurt So Much?

When nerves are irritated or inflamed, they can trigger sharp, burning, or electric-like pain. These symptoms are common in two related conditions:

Neuritis – inflammation of a nerve
Neuralgia – nerve pain that occurs even without visible inflammation

Both can cause sudden, severe pain that comes on quickly and can affect daily life.

What’s the Difference Between Acute Neuritis and Acute Neuralgia?

A Common Example: Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

Herpes zoster is a viral reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster), lying dormant in nerve roots until it flares up, often triggered by age, stress, or lowered immunity.

The virus causes:

Acute neuritis as it inflames the nerves
Neuralgia during and possibly after the rash heals

Key signs of shingles:

Localised nerve pain on one side of the body
Sensitivity to light touch or even clothing
A rash that turns into fluid-filled blisters
Pain that can persist long after the rash clears (postherpetic neuralgia)

When Should You Be Concerned?

Seek medical attention if you experience:

Sudden, sharp or burning pain along a specific nerve path
Pain that worsens with light touch, wind, or movement
Pain accompanied by a rash
Persistent pain after a shingles episode
Tingling or numbness without a clear injury

Early intervention may prevent long-term nerve damage and chronic pain.

How We Can Help

At Specialist Pain International Clinic, we take the time to understand what’s triggering your nerve pain, whether it’s a viral flare-up, inflammation, or pressure on the nerve.

Treatment depends on what we find, but it may involve:

Medications to settle irritated nerves
Procedures to calm inflamed areas
Guidance on managing symptoms as you recover

Every patient is different, our goal is to help you feel better, faster, with care that’s tailored to what your body needs.

Don’t Let Nerve Pain Take Over

Acute nerve pain can disrupt sleep, work, and quality of life, but it doesn’t have to. The sooner we identify the source, the more effective the treatment can be.

Book an Appointment

Leave your details in the form below and the Specialist Pain International team will get back to you shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acute Neuritis and Acute Neuralgia

Still unsure if you should see a pain specialist for your pain? We address some common questions about resolving pain and what we do below. Click the various questions to find out more!

What is the difference between neuritis and neuralgia?

Neuritis refers to inflammation of a nerve, while neuralgia describes nerve pain that can occur even without visible inflammation. Both conditions can cause sharp, burning, or electric-like pain that may significantly affect daily life.

What are the symptoms of acute neuritis and acute neuralgia?

Common symptoms include sudden sharp or burning pain, pain along a specific nerve pathway, tingling or numbness, and increased sensitivity to light touch, wind, or movement. Symptoms can vary depending on the affected nerve.

Can shingles cause nerve pain?

Yes. Herpes zoster (shingles) can cause acute neuritis by inflaming the nerves. Some patients may also experience neuralgia during or after the shingles rash has healed, resulting in persistent nerve pain.

When should I seek treatment for nerve pain?

You should seek medical attention if you experience sudden nerve pain, pain accompanied by a rash, pain that worsens with light touch or movement, persistent pain after shingles, or unexplained tingling and numbness.

How are acute neuritis and acute neuralgia treated?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the nerve pain. Options may include medications to settle irritated nerves, procedures to calm inflamed areas, and guidance on managing symptoms during recovery.