Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition that occur as a complication of shingles. A person who develops this type of neuralgia experiences pain that in the affected area for months, or even years, after the shingles rash has healed. Researchers do not know why some people develop this condition and others do not. Once a person develops symptoms, there is no cure for postherpetic neuralgia. However, antiviral medicines, painkillers, antidepressants, and other medications may be able to reduce the duration and severity of this condition.