Allodynia: What Is It, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, And More

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Everything You Should Know About Allodynia

Medically reviewed by Darragh O'Carroll, MD — Written by James Roland — Updated on July 2, 2024

Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
See a doctor
Outlook
FAQ
Takeaway

Allodynia is when you feel pain from actions that aren’t typically painful, such as lightly touching your skin. It’s an uncommon symptom that may result from several nerve-related conditions.

Allodynia is rare, but research from 2014 suggests that up to 1 in 2 people with neuropathic pain experience allodynia.

“Allodynia is not itself a condition that is diagnosed — it is a symptom that can be associated with certain types of pain,” said Vivianne Tawfik, MD, PhD, a board certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist with Stanford Hospital and Clinics.

Treatment will depend on the underlying condition.

Keep reading to learn more about the types, symptoms, and causes of allodynia and how it is treated.

What are the types of allodynia?

There are three types of allodynia:

Tactile (static) allodynia: pain caused by gentle touch or pressure
Thermal allodynia: pain caused by a change in temperature, such as cold water on the skin
Mechanical (dynamic) allodynia: pain caused by stimuli moving across the skin, such as a light brush

What are the symptoms of allodynia?

The main symptom of allodynia is pain from stimuli that don’t usually cause pain.

Depending on the underlying cause of allodynia, you might experience other symptoms too.

For example, if it’s caused by fibromyalgia, you might also experience:

fatigue
difficulty sleeping
muscle weakness
body aches
sensitivity to light, touch, and sounds

If it’s linked to migraine, you might also experience:

painful headaches
increased sensitivity to light or sounds
changes in your vision
nausea

What causes allodynia?

The exact cause of allodynia is unknown.

However, researchers have identified several health conditions and lifestyle factors that may be linked with allodynia. These may include:

fibromyalgia
migraine headaches
postherpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles
peripheral neuropathy, or damage to a group of nerves
diabetic neuropathy, a complication of diabetes
multiple sclerosis (MS)
shingles
opioid use
chemotherapy
vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin D and vitamin B
obesity
stress
trauma, such as a sprained ankle

A 2018 clinical trial indicated that PIEZO2, a gene that controls the sense of touch, may also contribute to tactile allodynia.

How is allodynia diagnosed?

If you notice your skin has become more sensitive to touch than normal, you can run a self-test to determine whether you may have symptoms of allodynia. To do this:

Brush a dry cotton pad on your skin.
Apply a hot or cold compress.

If you experience a painful tingling feeling in response to any of these stimuli, you might have allodynia. It’s important to make an appointment with a doctor to confirm this.

A doctor will go over any underlying conditions, such as diabetes, and ask you about symptoms.

“When discussing with your doctor, come prepared with a description of your pain, as accurate as possible,” said Amanda Persaud, MD, a neurologist with the College of Physicians and Neurologists of Ontario. “The description of the quality of pain is very important when deciphering whether pain is neuropathic, like allodynia.”

Persaud suggested using these terms to describe symptoms, as applicable:

burning
throbbing
constant
intermittent
radiating

Tawfik said your doctor will likely run a similar test to your self-examination.

“Once a doctor has determined allodynic pain, they can run further tests to find the underlying cause,” said William Caldwell, DO, director of the Center for Pain Management at Stony Brook Medicine.

Additional testing for the underlying cause may include:

blood tests, such as a hemoglobin A1c blood test
MRI
electromyography (EMG)

How is allodynia treated?

Treatment for allodynia will depend on the underlying cause, according to Medhat Mikhael, MD, medical director of the nonoperative program at Spine Health Center at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in California.

Treatments may include:

oral medications, such as sodium channel blockers, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
topical treatments that contain lidocaine, menthol, and capsaicin
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
spinal cord stimulation
lifestyle changes, such as exercise and dietary changes
nerve blockers

“Surgery could be an option in cases of nerve entrapment or [central or peripheral] compression,” Mikhael said. “The implantation of neuromodulators can be very helpful in treatment.”

Still, the best course of treatment is often managing the trigger.

“The focus in the treatment of allodynia needs to be on treating the causative condition,” said Lev Kalika, doctor of chiropractic and owner of New York Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy in New York City.

How can I prevent allodynia?

According to Caldwell, allodynia is not entirely preventable. However, people with underlying conditions connected to allodynia can reduce their risk of it.

“Allodynic pain can develop with uncontrolled diabetes, and strict glycemic control can help prevent the development of neuropathic pain,” Caldwell said.

“Allodynic pain can often occur after post-herpetic neuralgia [shingles] or trigeminal neuralgia, which are commonly triggered by stress or anxiety,” he said.

Better management of these can lessen the risk of flares of the underlying disease process.

When to see a doctor

Tawfik stresses the importance of seeing a doctor as quickly as possible if you’re experiencing abnormal pain.

“Any time someone has pain that outlasts its usefulness or expected post-injury trajectory, a person should see their doctor,” she said.

What’s the outlook?

The underlying cause of allodynia will often determine people’s outlook, according to Caldwell.

“In many instances, time and proper treatment can decrease or eliminate pain,” he said. “Sometimes more advanced interventional pain procedures are needed to control the pain long term.”

Caldwell also notes allodynia can be chronic or come back, particularly if the underlying cause is not well managed.

Frequently asked questions

What is allodynia a symptom of?

Allodynia is associated with many health conditions, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, shingles, migraine headaches, and fibromyalgia, among others.

How do you get rid of allodynia?

The best treatment for allodynia is to treat the underlying cause or trigger. This may include making lifestyle and dietary changes, taking oral medications, or getting surgery.

What are the first signs of nerve damage?

Early signs of nerve damage will depend on the type of nerve damage you experience. Some symptoms may include the sensation of pins and needles, numbness, twitching, muscle cramps, double vision, and excessive sweating, among others.

Takeaway

Allodynia is a symptom that occurs when you experience pain caused by something that isn’t usually painful.

It may be a symptom of several neurological health conditions or from taking some medications.

If you experience allodynia, speak with a healthcare professional. They could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that addresses any underlying conditions.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Caldwell W. (2021). Personal interview.
Cooper MA, et al. (2018). Modulation of diet-induced mechanical allodynia by metabolic parameters and inflammation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5352543/
Fibromyalgia. (2024).https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/fibromyalgia
He Y, et al. (2023). Allodynia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537129/
Jensen TS, et al. (2014). Allodynia and hyperalgesia in neuropathic pain: Clinical manifestations and mechanisms.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(14)70102-4/abstract
Kalika L, et al. (2021). Personal interview.
Lim EY, et al. (2016). Food-derived natural compounds for pain relief in neuropathic pain.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2016/7917528
Migraine. (2023).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/migraine
Mikhael M. (2021). Personal interview.
Persaud M. (2021). Personal interview.
Symptoms: Peripheral neuropathy. (2022).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms/
Szczot M, et al. (2018). PIEZO2 mediates injury-induced tactile pain in mice and humans.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6875774/
Tawfik V. (2021). Personal interview.

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Medically reviewed by Darragh O'Carroll, MD — Written by James Roland — Updated on July 2, 2024

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