Case report demonstrates effective treatment of refractory postherpetic itch with a novel combined approach, indicating potential for broader use.
Postherpetic itch (PHI) is a common complication of herpes zoster, predominantly affecting the head and face, and significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. Few studies have addressed the concerns of PHI, and its available treatments have shown limited efficacy. We report a case of PHI in the trigeminal nerve in which a novel combination of ultra-high-voltage pulsed radiofrequency and escitalopram achieved significant relief of itch. This combined approach may provide a safe and effective option for intractable PHI.
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Xu et al. (2026) studied this question.
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