Contents:
- Medical Video: 10 Warning Signs Your Heart Isn't Working Properly
- What is allodynia?
- Get to know the types of allodynia
- What are the symptoms of allodynia?
- What are the causes of allodynia?
- How allodynia diagnosed?
Medical Video: 10 Warning Signs Your Heart Isn't Working Properly
Touch is a basic human need. That's why warm touch like a hand, hug, even a tap of encouragement on your shoulders can make you feel happy. However, for people who have allodynia, they may avoid contact with others as much as possible. Not because afraid of being touched, but in order to prevent the pain caused by the touch itself - even though it's really just a glance. Allodynia can even make the skin feel painful when touched by wind gusts or clothing material that you use. What caused it?
What is allodynia?
Cubitan or slap is the touch of the skin that causes pain. Pain the result of being pinched or slapped comes from a signal sent from the nerve endings of the nociceptors under the skin to warn the brain of danger. The brain then manifests this signal as pain, which makes you jump, start crying, angry, until the skin is reddened.
But it's different when you have allodynia. Allodynia is an unusual pain sensation on the skin caused by a simple contact that is usually painless. For example, when rubbing the skin very gently or just putting your thumb on your arm.
Allodynia occurs due to damage or malfunction of the central nervous system or edges, which should help carry touch signals from the skin to the brain. As a result, simple touches that should be translated as something that is natural or soothing actually misunderstood the brain as a touch that is dangerous. So, pain arises.
Allodynia itself is different from dysesthesia, which is a group of uncomfortable sensations on the skin that can manifest as heat, burning sensations, tingling, tingling, numbness (numbness), to the point of being pricked when touched. Allodynia causes only extreme pain or pain when the skin is touched.
Get to know the types of allodynia
There are three main types of allodynia, namely:
- Tactile allodynia is a pain caused by touch. This can include clothing that attaches directly to the skin (especially parts of clothing that are more stringent, such as belts, bra straps, or rubber socks on the ankles)
- Mechanical allodynia caused by movement or friction on the skin. This can happen when you dry your body with a towel, rub your body while showering, or even air that blows or moves on your skin.
- Thermal allodyna caused by extreme temperature changes (very hot or very wanted) causing damage to your network. If your hands and feet turn blue when you are cold, you should immediately talk to your doctor. This may be a symptom of a different condition called Raynaud's Syndrome.
What are the symptoms of allodynia?
The most common symptom is pain due to touch stimulation which is usually painless. You may feel a soft, painful touch. You may also feel pain while brushing your teeth or other movements along the skin or combing your hair. In some cases, you may feel the temperature of warm lukewarm water or cold water aches on the skin.
Depending on the cause of allodynia you have, you may also experience other symptoms. For example, allodynia caused by fibromyalgia often it also causes anxiety, depression, difficult to concentrate, hard to sleep, and fatigue. If you experience allodynia caused by migraine, You might having a painful headache, very sensitive to light and sound, nausea and changes in vision.
What are the causes of allodynia?
Allodynia itself is not a stand-alone disease, but rather a symptom syndrome that generally accompanies a certain medical condition that is underlying it. Risk factors for allodynia include fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy (complications of diabetes or other conditions), to postherpetic neuralgia (complications of shingles).
How allodynia diagnosed?
If you suddenly feel your skin is more sensitive to touch than usual, you can do a personal examination first before making sure to see a doctor. For example, try slowly peeling dry cotton on your skin. Does it hurt? Next, put warm or cold compresses on your skin.
Compress is usually healing, but if you actually feel great pain, bmake an appointment with the doctor to get a formal diagnosis.
Your doctor can do various tests to assess your nerve sensitivity. The doctor will also ask about your medical history and other symptoms that you may have. This can help your doctor start identifying the causes of allodynia you have. Tell your doctor what changes you feel on your skin.
