Allodynia

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Allodynia refers to pain caused by what would normally be non-painful stimulation, for example brushing the skin.[1] Temperature change, light touching, and clothing can trigger the pain response resulting in a burning sensation often occurring after an injury to a site.[2]

Presentation[edit | edit source]

There are three types of allodynia. Tactile, where pain is caused by touches such as clothing touching the skin or someone lightly touching the arm; Mechanical, caused by movement across the skin when drying with a towel or sheets brushing against the skin; and Thermal, which is caused by heat or cold that is not extreme enough to cause damage to skin tissues.[3]

Allodynia in ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia[edit | edit source]

Allodynia is not a diagnostic symptom of ME or CFS, and is not even referred to in the International Consensus Criteria Primer for ME although over forms of pain are.[4]

Prevalence[edit | edit source]

A study of over 3,000 patients with fibromyalgia found that allodynia was "surprisingly common".[5]

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

  • 2009, Models and Mechanisms of Hyperalgesia and Allodynia[1] (Full text)
  • 2010, A cross-sectional survey of 3035 patients with fibromyalgia: subgroups of patients with typical comorbidities and sensory symptom profiles[5] (Full text)

Possible causes[edit | edit source]

Central pain sensitization (increased response of neurons) has been proposed as a possible cause, but this term has conflicting definitions and scientific evidence is unclear.[1][2]

Potential treatments[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]