Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Abnormal Pain Sensations
Question: Hi, I am wondering why there are times when my actual skin hurts. Clothes on it hurts, I can feel it even when I'm not touching it. When I do touch it it's very sensitive. What is this and what causes it? It happens on different areas of my thighs/lower back.
Brief Answer:
may be peripheral neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The sensation of touch and ability to sense pain is related the nerves. The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord).
The abnormal pain sensations and increased sensitivity is likely related to the peripheral nervous system.
This would be called peripheral neuropathy- abnormal structure or function of the peripheral nervous system
There are different possible causes such as: (1) trauma to the nerves eg arthritis or other changes to the back may affect the nerves coming out
(2)diabetes
(3)vitamin b12 or folate deficiency
(4)liver or kidney disease
(5)exposure to toxins
(6)neurological disease such as MS, stroke
(7)idiopathic- cause not known
(8)side effect of medication
(9)infections such as shingles
To determine the exact cause you may need to consider visiting your doctor for an assessment.
There are medications that can help eg gabapentin, lyrica, amitriptyline, cymbalta
Though these meds were originally anti seizure or anti depressant meds, they are also used to treat nerve related pain in persons with no history of seizures or depression.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
may be peripheral neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The sensation of touch and ability to sense pain is related the nerves. The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord).
The abnormal pain sensations and increased sensitivity is likely related to the peripheral nervous system.
This would be called peripheral neuropathy- abnormal structure or function of the peripheral nervous system
There are different possible causes such as: (1) trauma to the nerves eg arthritis or other changes to the back may affect the nerves coming out
(2)diabetes
(3)vitamin b12 or folate deficiency
(4)liver or kidney disease
(5)exposure to toxins
(6)neurological disease such as MS, stroke
(7)idiopathic- cause not known
(8)side effect of medication
(9)infections such as shingles
To determine the exact cause you may need to consider visiting your doctor for an assessment.
There are medications that can help eg gabapentin, lyrica, amitriptyline, cymbalta
Though these meds were originally anti seizure or anti depressant meds, they are also used to treat nerve related pain in persons with no history of seizures or depression.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, I do take anti-depressant, Zoloft. I've never had "trauma" other than giving birth. My lower back aches constantly and has never been the same since then. But I didn't think the skin hurting was related. What are other symptoms of vitamin B deficiency? What are signs of MS? How would a doctor diagnose peripheral neuropathy?
Brief Answer:
the back pain may be the cause
Detailed Answer:
HI
To diagnose it your doctor would conduct a nervous system examination. This would involve testing sensations at different points of the body.
The sensation of light touch, pain,heat/cold reflexes, tone , power are all assessed.
Your doctor would determine if there are any areas where there is difference or abnormality in any of the above.
A blood test for vitamin b12 or folate would determine if either of these are present.
Some patients would have only a few and others may have all of the possible symptoms which include- abnormal sensations, change in vision, abnormal balance, headaches
Trauma does not have to be severe or direct, as mentioned, arthritis of the back can cause nerve related symptoms. Imaging of the back such as xray or ct may be helpful.
Since you have back pain, this may be the cause of your abnormal sensations
MS presents with different symptoms- visual problems, stiffening of muscles, fatigue, loss of balance
The next step to consider would be visiting your doctor for physical examination and assessment to determine if peripheral neuropathy is present and the likely cause.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
the back pain may be the cause
Detailed Answer:
HI
To diagnose it your doctor would conduct a nervous system examination. This would involve testing sensations at different points of the body.
The sensation of light touch, pain,heat/cold reflexes, tone , power are all assessed.
Your doctor would determine if there are any areas where there is difference or abnormality in any of the above.
A blood test for vitamin b12 or folate would determine if either of these are present.
Some patients would have only a few and others may have all of the possible symptoms which include- abnormal sensations, change in vision, abnormal balance, headaches
Trauma does not have to be severe or direct, as mentioned, arthritis of the back can cause nerve related symptoms. Imaging of the back such as xray or ct may be helpful.
Since you have back pain, this may be the cause of your abnormal sensations
MS presents with different symptoms- visual problems, stiffening of muscles, fatigue, loss of balance
The next step to consider would be visiting your doctor for physical examination and assessment to determine if peripheral neuropathy is present and the likely cause.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
