Observations on herpes zoster: 1. Residual scarring and post-herpetic neuralgia; 2. Handedness and the risk of infection.
The risk of developing post-herpetic neuralgia is related to the degree of residual scarring. Subjects over the age of 60 with more than 10 cm2 of residual scarring have a very high risk of developing intractable post-herpetic neuralgia. Left-handed subjects are less likely to develop herpes zoster, and this could be due to a more efficient immune system.
Battcock
T M
TM
Department of Medicine, Royal Liverpool Hospital.
Finn
R
R
Barnes
R M
RM
D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors