What condition is Ben experiencing after his shingles rash resolved?

Ben is experiencing allodynia after his shingles rash has resolved, which is a common complication associated with shingles, or herpes zoster. Allodynia is a condition where normal, non-painful stimuli, such as light touch or temperature changes, provoke pain. This occurs due to nerve damage caused by the varicella-zoster virus during an outbreak of shingles.

Even after the visible rash and blisters heal, some individuals continue to experience pain in the affected area due to changes in how the nervous system processes pain signals. This altered pain perception can lead to significant discomfort and can persist for weeks, months, or even longer. Understanding allodynia in the context of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is important, as this syndrome is a common long-term consequence of shingles and can greatly impact a patient's quality of life.

Other conditions in the options, such as encephalitis, are associated with serious inflammation of the brain but are not directly related to the aftermath of shingles. Rhabdomyolysis refers to muscle breakdown and is unrelated to shingles complications. Additionally, a shingles rash is the initial condition from which Ben is recovering, rather than a condition that occurs after its resolution.