Causes of Neuralgia

Possible causes of neuralgia include:

Diabetes
Irritation caused by toxins or chemicals
Chronic renal insufficiency
Infections such as shingles, Lyme disease, and syphilis
HIV / AIDS
Other bacterial infections of the brain and spinal cord
Certain medications
Pressure placed on the nerves by tumors, ligaments, bones and blood vessels
Hepatitis C
Trauma or injury
Recent surgery
Tumors of the brain or spinal cord
Stroke
Transient ischemic attack
Autoimmune disease such as lupus or Guillain-Barré syndrome
Chronic diseases such as connective tissue disorders, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, porphyria, spinal stenosis, and vascular disorders
Alcohol abuse
Repetitive stress injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Unknown causes

There are also certain risk factors of neuralgia that increase a person’s chance of developing the disease. These include:

Age – Though neuralgia can occur at any age, it is more common among the elderly
Alcohol abuse
Diabetes
Malnutrition

Types

References

Ann Berger, Marie Henderson, Wolffe Nadoolman, Valerie Duffy, Dennis Cooper, Lloyd Saberski, Linda Bartoshuk, Oral capsaicin provides temporary relief for oral mucositis pain secondary to chemotherapy/radiation therapy, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Volume 10, Issue 3, April 1995, Pages 243-248, ISSN 0885-3924, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0885-3924(94)00130-D.