Allodynia: Fibromyalgia Skin Pain

Published: // Updated: March 13, 2021

Pinterest Hidden Image

Do you experience pain from a simple touch? Do you cringe when someone goes to give you a hug? Do these simple gestures result in excruciating pain? Skin pain is another one of those fibromyalgia symptoms that just doesn’t seem to make sense. This type of pain is called Allodynia and is usually felt as a burning sensation.

Allodynia: Fibromyalgia Skin PainPin

Allodynia is believed to be a hypersensitivity to stimuli that would normally not cause pain. The pain can be provoked by a light touch to the skin, pressure from clothing, showering, combing or brushing your hair. Even a light breeze blowing across your skin can feel like agony.

What Causes Allodynia?

Allodynia is considered to be the result of a process called central sensitization. The pain comes from a malfunction of specialized nerves, called nociceptors. These nociceptors sense information about things like temperature and painful stimuli right at the skin. For some reason, our nociceptors become chronically activated and send persistent pain signals. Any sensation felt by the skin becomes painful.

Allodynia is a fairly rare type of pain. It is only associated with a handful of conditions. These conditions include fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia (shingles) and migraine. Allodynia is also linked to the lack of restorative sleep.

There are three sub-types:

  • Tactile Allodynia: pain caused from something touching your skin.
  • Mechanical Allodynia: pain caused by movement such as your clothing brushing against your skin or the breeze from a fan or the wind blowing across your skin.
  • Thermal Allodynia: pain caused from mild heat or cold temperatures.

Allodynia often overlaps with hyperalgesia (abnormally heightened sensitivity to pain), which seems to be the case with fibromyalgia. So not only are we experiencing pain from stimuli that should not cause pain, the pain is amplified.

Treating Allodynia

The skin pain comes from a malfunction of specialized nerves. It is also related to a lack of restorative sleep. Standard treatments for fibromyalgia can also help ease allodynia. This includes eating healthy, exercising, reducing stress and improving your sleep.

Medications that work for some people include:

  • Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline)
  • Lyrica (pregabalin)
  • Neurontin (gabapentin)
  • Lidocaine patches

Some people also get relief from topical pain creams. You may have to be careful about the way you dress, as well. Loose fitting clothing made from soft natural fibers are recommended.

If your skin itches, burns, tingles or you have numbness, it could be a condition called Paresthesia. It’s also seen in Fibromyalgia and migraine patients. The sensations are usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body.

Painful skin is a new symptom for me. It seems to be triggered by temperature. It doesn’t even have to be hot. When I feel a little warm, my skin starts stinging and burning, then anything touching or moving across my skin intensifies the pain. Being exposed to the sun makes it worse.

My doctor increased my dosage of amitriptyline and said if that doesn’t help we would try gabapentin. It’s been three weeks since the dosage increase and so far it hasn’t helped. Since summer is almost over, I am wondering if the skin pain will lessen when the weather gets cooler.

Or is that just wishful thinking?

Pin for Later

Allodynia: Fibromyalgia Skin PainPin

Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter

173 thoughts on “Allodynia: Fibromyalgia Skin Pain”

  1. I was wondering if this post was still active, I was looking more into fibromyalgia because of my sister’s pain without any kind of relief. She’s had dobro since she was 13, she’s 19 now. I was hoping to find something that maybe we haven’t seen or tried yet to help. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Hi, Jade. Yes, it is still active. Wow, 13 is such a young age to begin dealing with FM. I have written many posts to help with fibromyalgia so I hope you and your sister will look around the blog. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  2. I have all three stages of allodynia and paresthesia, especially during flares. So much so that I commonly vomit when touched. I’m still going through the disability approval process and at the end of September, while going through a horrendous flare, they made me go through ANOTHER disability doctor exam. This quack apparently knows less than nothing about fibromyalgia because he didn’t recognize that almost all of my medications, even the ones that weren’t purposefully prescribed for it, were supposed to help fibromyalgia, but really weren’t. What’s really sad is that I’m on savella, which has only been cleared by the fda for fibromyalgia. He also decided that I was faking because he apparently has never heard of flares or allodynia and during his starting to palpate my wrists (which are significantly painful for me especially considering I’ve had previous trauma and reconstructive surgery to my left wrist and arthritis anyway), I started to get very nauseous. He was such a jerk! I ended up throwing up in two of his garbage cans and having to go to the ER after he called it quits. But he wrote it up saying I am a mental case who is histrionic and that I don’t have any physical ailments, I just need to see a very good shrink and be put on the appropriate meds for that. And all he is is an internist who’s seen me once and doesn’t know me, didn’t even listen to my background enough to get it right. He was supposed to get some of my medical records, but apparently didn’t – or didn’t read them. How’s anyone supposed to get a fair and accurate hearing for disability with this kind of representation from the medical community forced on them by the government? Has anyone else had this kind of experience or has it just been my luck of the draw?

    Reply
    • Hi, Amanda. The disability doctor I was sent to was also an idiot. He spent 5 minutes with me and said there was nothing wrong. Luckily his opinion didn’t matter when I had my disability hearing. Many people who get disability for fibro are actully awarded it because of the depression and anxiety. In my case it was because of my sensitivities to chemicals and lights. My lawyer had my own doctor conduct a disability exam which carried far more weight. So I wouldn’t worry too much about that doctor’s opinion. Good luck!

      Reply
    • That is the same treatment I received when I was sent for an exam by Social Security doctor. It’s a farce. I finally found an organization that helped low income clients with legal needs. Students did the work with attorneys overseeing the process. It took a while but I finally won my case. It took using every issue I had ie. depression, back pain and fibromyalgia so the more you can document the better. I have had fibromyalgia since the late 80’s but was in remission for 20 years until about 5 months ago when it returned. What I thought was going to be a short flare has become a nightmare and I now have things that are new to me. I didn’t think there could be anything else….rash/itching, burning pain, groin/thigh pain in addition to all the “normal” fibro stuff. Anyway, just keep fighting for your rights to disability. It may take about 3 attempts before you succeed is what I experienced and many others have experienced dealing with social security disability claims.

      Reply
  3. Me too same situations… nobody understands as no one has experienced all these.. i get pain even my friend pokes me… or a single stroke on my skin…its like touching on a burned area…relieved me a lot that there are others also..going to the doctor didnt help..she said i had a very soft skin…maybe thats the cause!!

    Reply
    • Hi, Samrin. I doubt whether there are many doctors who understand allodynia. My doctor suggested I take gabapentin but so far I have declined. Take care!

      Reply
      • Now I am taking Accutane too ..end of me..???? I wasn’t concerned about this and ignored it..but now it has worsened..body pain ..back pain and too much fatigue too.m having my finals ..totally messed up..donno wat to do..help me plz

        Reply
  4. Holy crapola!!!!
    I never knew this is what I had and I wasn’t just a nutcase! Always thought I was “princess and the pea” because I could feel everything, even the slightest touch would irritate.
    A 2008 failed back surgery that now seems to have left me with “post laminectomy syndrome “, (no extra charge), a deformed coccyx, asthma and bronchecteasis, vasovagal sick sinus syndrome that I just had a pacemaker put in for, I have been suffering since 2002 from a stroke and then Epstein barr virus- which seems to have left me with fibro, cataracts, breast and thyroid cancer.
    But I didn’t know why the shooting pains were going down my legs, or that I couldn’t sit for long, stand for long, lay on one side or the other, thinking recently it was only the coccyx bone? Or why my clothes hurt. Or my hair hurt me after a haircut because the ends were sharp if they touched my skin. Or why no mattress (I even blew a bundle on a new sleep number bed) was smooth enough or comfortable enough.
    And let’s not even talk about the hell of menopause!!!! Plus arthritis and bone spurs in hips, shoulders heels and carpal tunnel…
    My side table is a virtual drug store..and lyrica gave me the shakes so gabapentin (even with the supposed side effects) was the way to go besides Vicodin and metaxalone.
    And thank God, recently medical marijuana has helped to actually reduce some of that and calm some of the nerves.
    But really, today, to find out I am not a nutcase and not alone and there is a name for the pain of touch is incredible.
    Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
    And for heavens sake, and yours, find a neurologist or Dr. That will review your meds to see if you can get med marijuana, and see if it helps you.

    Reply
    • Hi, Regina. You are very welcome! I felt crazy and alone for way too long. It makes me happy when I help someone realize that is not the case. I’ve been thinking of asking my doctor about medical marijuana. I don’t know how she feels about it but there is only one way to find out. If not, I will have to find a doctor who’s on board with it. Take care!

      Reply
  5. I read people complaining about summer but it’s winter now and I have not been diagnosed with this but it sounds just like what I have I take neurotin for my so called Neropathy have had migraine s since a young age. Had this feeling before just not as bad and not as random and they treated me for shingles several times. I wonder if this is what I had all along. It hurts so bad I just want to cry but won’t let my children see me this way . I don’t go to the Doctor but usually but once a year. I finally broke down and made an apt . It burns and tingles, at times it feel as in my skin is being ripped off. These symptoms didn’t start until it got cold.

    Reply
  6. I’ve had issues before on my leg or forearm but right now, it’s why I’m here, on my upper right back below my neck is the problem. I was wearing a jumper and had to take it off at a friends house & put on a loose fitted cardigan pulled down at the back. Even my hair brushing the skin is excruciating – I’m on the top dose of gabapentin btw. Any relief suggestions from anyone rather than pills? Thanks

    Reply
  7. If using a CBD lotion, would one expect to get immediate relief? Or it this the type of lotion that you need to use for weeks, on a consistent basis? thanks so much

    Reply
  8. Diagnosed w Fibro after a case of undiagnosed Lyme . Lately the pain has gotten out of control and it affects every aspect of my life. What should be the best time of my life …retired nurse w a grandchild coming , is becoming a nightmare. My lower extremities have hurt for a long time mainly this burning skin pain but now it has also moved to my upper body. It’s a tingling burning pain mostly in upper arms and neck. I can only wear lose non constricting clothing. Loose linen clothing helps in summer. Another weird symptom I have is upper body super hot flashes unrelated to menopause it’s like I have no control over my thermostat comes on fast & is gone quick but leaves me in a cold sweat. Also such a difficult time starting urine stream too feels like my brain can’t control my body ? It’s so depressing to only be 60 and in constant unrelenting pain. I take lyrica and pain mgt dr added nortryptiline yesterday so I guess we will see if that helps. I also take cymbalta and an opioid when I just can’t bear it. Meditation helps some I do like Lamaze deep breathing . I wish I could offer something else to help someone who is suffering w this illness. I wouldn’t wish Fibro or neuropathy on my worst enemy!

    Reply
    • Hi, Kathy. I am 61 and I know how you feel. Your hot flashes sound exactly how mine were. They went away when I stopped taking Lyrica. I had a few years that I felt pretty good and kept my symptoms under control with diet and supplements. But this past year is another story. I am in a lot more pain and have no energy at all. I have the same trouble with my urine stream, it seems to come and go. It is a symptom of fibro but our age is a factor, too. Have you tried CBD lotion? It helps with the pain and the burning skin, at least, it does for me. I am willing to bet your grandchild will be the best pain reliever of all. At least when you are spending time with her or him. You may have helped someone more than you know. Someone who is going through the same thing may read your comment and it will give them comfort by knowing they are not alone.

      Reply
      • Good morning Sue
        I don’t know what CBD cream is but will try anything ! I made the mistake of trying capsicasin on my back last week and it was awful for my skin looking back I am giggling because I imagine what I must have looked like trying to get that hateful burning cream off of me lol ! I read that you can neutralize it with milk and rubbing alcohol so you can imagine! If the cbd creates heat I don’t think I can use.
        My dr suggested last week a spinal cord stimulator if you or anyone has any input I would love to have feedback tx.
        One last question Sue was it difficult to wean off of lyrica ? When drs put us on meds like cymbalta they don’t mention how hellish they are to get off !
        I have no doubt that little baby boy will help me to forget the pain but I worry because I will be watching him when my dtr has to go back to work and I want to feel better and enjoy every moment ! K

        Reply
        • CBD is oil extracted from hemp and marijuana plants and it’s completely non-psychoactive (meaning it won’t make you high). You can get CBD in a variety of lotions and balms (supplements, too). It is often mixed with other natural pain-relieving herbs. It does not burn at all. The only CBD lotions I have tried are made by The Fay Farm (see my reviews here)but there are many other brands available.

          I put capsicasin on my forehead once for a headache. It burned so bad I couldn’t lift my head. It’s funny now and it is good we can laugh about it. Also I don’t have any personal experience with a spinal cord stimulator and I don’t know anyone that has one.

          I weaned off Lyrica by decreasing the dosage slowly and didn’t feel any worse than usual. A few weeks after I was completely off the Lyrica is when I realized the fatigue and brain fog weren’t as bad.

          Reply
  9. I’m dealing with this pain right now I’ve been trying to find out what this is for past 3 years I got a red rash that started out in a small area under my right chest area when ever my body warms up it hurts really bad the sun make a it 10x worst the pain gets so bad I almost wanna cut my skin off it dries out and gets flakey I have white spots in the areas it used to be red please help

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1.5k