Neuralgia is a type of pain which travels along a nerve. Causes of neuralgia can range from irritation and swelling of the nerve, most commonly neuritis, to certain health complications. This nerve pain can be brought about from trauma, health conditions, medications, chemical exposure and some infections.

Trauma from an injury or surgical procedure can result in damage to the nerve or the surrounding area, causing inflammation. This inflammation can create pressure on the nerve which can produce pain. It can also cause irritation and swelling of the nerve itself, which can lead to neuralgia.

Nerves are fibrous pathways which allow the body to communicate to its different parts to produce sensations and movements. Pain in a nerve can cause discomfort anywhere along the fiber, creating a widespread area of pain. Health conditions which can cause abnormal pressure to the nerve resulting in pain are common causes of neuralgia, and include rheumatoid arthritis, a tumor, or a herniated disc. A tumor in the head, for example, can cause trigeminal neuralgia, the most common form of nerve pain located in the face.

A disc herniation in the low back area can cause pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, results in pain starting in the low back area traveling down the posterior of the leg. In severe cases of sciatica, neuralgia can spread down into the calf and ankle. If the herniation is the neck area, occipital neuralgia can occur, causing headaches.

Other causes of neuralgia include some chronic health conditions or diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and some forms of cancer. Breast cancer, for example, can cause neuralgia from nerve irritation or the presence of tumors in the breast. Multiple sclerosis can cause widespread neuralgia due to the destruction of the protective covering of nerves.

Certain infections such as Lyme disease, an infection triggered by a tick bite, or shingles, a viral infection caused by varicella-zoster commonly known as the chickenpox virus, may trigger nerve pain. Depending on individual health issues, some medications, either prescription or non-prescription, and herbal supplements can bring about neuralgia pain. In some cases, exposure to certain chemicals can also create irritation of nerves.

Symptoms of nerve pain are dependent on the causes of neuralgia. They can range from an increase or decrease in sensitivity to sharp and stabbing pain or burning sensations along the pathway of the affected nerve. Treatment options also depend of the underlying cause of pain.