More often than not the cause of neuralgia cannot be determined, but in several cases it results from damage or aggravation of the nerve being affected. This can be caused by several factors. Sometimes, an out of place artery puts pressure on your nerve causing the pain. A tumor could also be the cause, but that is rare. A specific type of neuralgia called Postherpetic neuralgia only occurs in people who have had shingles and has something to do with nerve damage caused by the varicella zoster virus. Multiple sclerosis, or any other condition that cuases nerve damage, may result in neuralgia as well. Other possible causes include inflammation of your arteries, an injury or trauma, and diabetes.
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