It is a neurological condition in which the sensation of painsometimes severecan occur with a simple touch.
With this condition, the body perceives pain from something harmless.
This article covers the symptoms, causes, and treatment of tactile allodynia.
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It also describes how fibromyalgia leads to allodynia, and what other conditions can cause it.
Tactile Allodynia Symptoms
Tactile allodynia can range from mild to severe.
It can affect areas all over the body or only certain areas.
It can be constant or come and go with symptom flares.
Sometimes, allodynia may be set off by a trigger, such as scratching or stepping on something sharp.
With fibromyalgia, nociceptors may perceive normal sensations as painful.
Researchers believe that this is the result ofcentral sensitization.
Treatment
Many of the treatments that lessen your fibromyalgia symptoms can help alleviate symptoms of tactile allodynia.
You may also want to identify and avoid triggers that incite allodynia flares.
Other options may includecognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)andbiofeedbackto help modify your response to pain.
Other Causes of Skin Sensitivity
Fibromyalgia is just one cause of allodynia.
It’s nerve pain that can happen with just a simple touch.
It’s resulting from malfunctioning nociceptors, specialized nerves that sense information about your environment.
Treatment may include antidepressants, seizure drugs, and topical lidocaine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and biofeedback may also be options.
Other causes of allodynia, besides fibromyalgia, include migraines, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and shingles.
Kosehasanogullar M.Is fibromyalgia syndrome a neuropathic pain syndrome?Arch Rheumatol.
2022;9(1):205510292211060. doi:10.1177/20551029221106044
American Migraine Foundation.What to know about allodynia.
Todorovic SM.Is diabetic nerve pain triggered by dysregulated ion channels in sensory neurons?Diabetes.
In: Taylor BK, Finn DP, eds.Behavioral Neurobiology of Chronic Pain.
2018;3(6):e702.
