Neuralgia is a sharp pain that follows the path of a nerve due to irritation or damage to the nerve.
Postherpetic neuralgia (after herpes) and trigeminal neuralgia are the most common forms of neuralgia. There is an increased sensitivity of the skin along the path of the damaged nerve, so that any contact or pressure causes pain. There is numbness along the path of the nerve, the pain is usually similar to that of an electric shock, but may have other sensations, can be intermittent or constant; it may be worse when the area moves. There may be weakness or complete paralysis of muscles innervated by the same nerve.
In many cases, the cause is unknown. Treatment varies depending on many factors, including the cause, location and severity of pain.