Patient: It has been more than 20 days since the onset of herpes. The herpes has been treated and crusted over but the pain is unbearable after midnight every night for more than 20 days. What medication can I use to control the pain? Zhao Ying, Pain Center, Beijing Hospital, Ministry of Health: We have read the medical history. The herpes zoster virus attacks the skin (manifested as herpes) and the nerves (manifested as unbearable pain). Most patients continue to have severe pain after the rash subsides, which affects the quality of life. Because the repair of the nerves is a relatively long process, many patients will experience pain for a long time. Treatment at this time is based on analgesia and nerve nutrition. The treatment at our center includes medication, physical therapy and local nerve blocks. The earlier the treatment is given, the better, and it is best to go to the local pain department for systematic treatment.