Postherpetic Neuralgia ICD-10-CM Codes
Read this short guide to learn about Postherpetic Neuralgia ICD codes you can use.
Fact Checked by RJ Gumban.
What Postherpetic Neuralgia ICD codes can I use?
There are only two if you’re looking for Postherpetic Neuralgia ICD codes. Here they are:
- B02.22 - Postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia, which is a condition that affects the face specifically because the postherpetic neuralgia affects the trigeminal nerve.
The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve. Its function is to provide sensory information to the face, and it helps control the muscles that allow us to chew food.
- B02.29 - Other postherpetic nervous system involvement
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have a postherpetic nervous system problem. Since the previous code is specifically for cases of postherpetic neuralgia affecting the trigeminal nerve, this ICD code can be used for postherpetic neuralgia in general.
Are both of these Postherpetic Neuralgia ICD codes billable?
Yes. Both of the aforementioned Postherpetic Neuralgia-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.
Clinical information about Postherpetic Neuralgia:
Postherpetic Neuralgia is a complication that arises from the wake of shingles.
If you’ve had chicken pox before, you should know that the virus that caused it, known as the Varicella-Zoster Virus, doesn’t leave your body entirely even after it has come and gone. The virus will leave remnants in our cells and may reactivate.
If this virus reactivates, it will cause shingles, which are annoyingly itchy and painful rashes. These rashes will eventually become blisters. Once these blisters disappear, the affected area can remain painful. If pain remains in the wake of shingles, that’s what healthcare professionals call postherpetic neuralgia.
Those with this will likely describe their pain as aching, burning, or jabbing. Some people might feel numb in the affected area. Whichever pain they think will be accompanied by constant itchiness.
Synonyms include:
- Postherpetic neuralgia
- Post-herpetic trigeminal neuralgia
- Postinfectious neuralgia
- Postinfective peripheral neuralgia
- Acute herpes zoster neuropathy
- Acute trigeminal herpes zoster
- Intercostal post-herpetic neuralgia
Commonly asked questions
Based on current research findings, the pain can disappear in just a few weeks or months, but there are some cases where people feel pain for over a year. Not enough information for now supports how this problem can last for too long.
Besides being in pain, postherpetic neuralgia can make people feel tired even when they haven’t done anything strenuous. The pain might also prevent them from getting enough restful sleep.
People might also have difficulty concentrating because of the pain, which might disrupt specific plans and even work. It might even ruin a person’s appetite and make them depressed.
They will resort to pain-relieving medication and anti-depressants, anti-seizure medication, and even Botox injections to help manage the problem. Postherpetic Neuralgia cannot be cured, but it’ll go away eventually, so the focus should be on assisting patients to manage the pain until it disappears.
