These abnormal sensations can include numbness, tingling, pain, and itching, as well as the feeling of insects crawling, water dripping, wetness, pressure, and vibration in particular areas of the body. RELATED: Phantom MS Symptoms However, these sensations have nothing to do with the skin. Rather, they are due to damage to parts of the brain that receive signals from the nerves that supply sensation to the skin. “Your skin may feel like it’s burning, but you haven’t burned your skin. The nerves are sending the wrong message,” explains Dr. Giesser. Other symptoms include losing feeling on the skin completely (hypoesthesia) and dysesthesias (painful sensations that can affect the legs, feet, arms, and hands), which feel like burning, prickling, stabbing, ice cold, itching, or electrical sensations, notes the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. RELATED: What You Should Know About MS Complications
Treatments for Skin Pain Caused by MS
Various medications and treatments may help relieve MS-related skin symptoms. These include:
Antiseizure medications such as Tegretol (carbamazepine), Neurontin (gabapentin), and Lyrica (pregabalin). These work by helping to block the nerves’ ability to transmit painful sensations, explains Giesser.Antidepressants such as Pamelor (nortriptyline), Elavil (amitriptyline), and Cymbalta (duloxetine). These work by lowering the nerves’ excitability.Lidocaine patches to treat severe pain in a localized area.Topical creams such as capsaicin cream, which can cause temporary burning or stinging where applied but which can, over time, block painful sensations by blocking the release of a neurotransmitter involved in relaying pain, notes Giesser.AcupunctureMindfulnessMeditationCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
If none of these drugs or treatments adequately controls skin pain or discomfort caused by MS, a pain specialist may need to be involved in your care team to offer other alternatives. RELATED: 9 Surprising Symptoms of MS
