Itching Body & Feet
People with fibromyalgia often experience strange, uncomfortable sensations that go beyond muscle pain. Two of the most frustrating symptoms are itching skin and the feeling of burning feet or hands. These sensations are caused by nerve dysfunction — your brain misinterprets signals from your body, making normal sensations feel overwhelming and painful.
🌡️ What Does It Feel Like?
Itching (Pruritus):
• The itching feels deep under the skin, almost impossible to scratch.
• It can move around the body randomly — one moment it’s your arms, then your back or legs.
• It often happens without a rash, which can be confusing and frustrating.
• The itch can be relentless, keeping you awake at night and making it hard to focus.
Burning Sensation in Feet and Hands:
• It feels like your skin is on fire or scalded by hot water.
• The burning can range from a mild warmth to an intense, painful heat that feels like you’re walking on hot coals.
• It often happens at night, making it hard to sleep.
• The burning can be accompanied by numbness, tingling, or swelling.
🔎 Why Does This Happen in Fibromyalgia?
The sensations are caused by dysfunction in the nervous system. In fibromyalgia, the nerves become overactive and misfire, sending false pain and itch signals to the brain. This is called central sensitization, meaning your brain overreacts to normal stimuli.
• Itching happens when nerves responsible for detecting light touch send “itch” signals without a trigger.
• Burning happens when your body’s pain receptors send signals as if you’re experiencing extreme heat, even when you’re not.
💡 What Can You Do to Prevent and Soothe It?
Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed way to stop these sensations entirely, but you can manage and reduce them with some preventative measures and self-care tips.
🧴 1. Moisturize and Soothe the Skin
• Use fragrance-free moisturizers to prevent dry skin, which can make itching worse.
• Try cooling lotions with menthol or aloe vera to calm the burning sensation.
❄️ 2. Cool Therapy for Burning Sensation
• Soak feet and hands in cool water baths to relieve burning.
• Use cold packs wrapped in a cloth on affected areas.
• Avoid hot showers or baths, as heat can worsen burning sensations.
🧦 3. Wear Proper Clothing
• Wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid irritating your skin.
• For burning feet, try cooling socks or compression socks designed for neuropathy.
💊 4. Take Supplements and Medications
• Talk to your doctor about nerve pain medications like gabapentin or pregabalin (Lyrica).
•Cannabis helps with pain management, gives me a appetite & helps me sleep better.
🛏️ 5. Manage Stress and Sleep
Stress can worsen nerve sensitivity, so managing it is crucial:
• Practice deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga to calm your nervous system.
• Ensure your sleep environment is comfortable and cool to reduce nighttime burning.
📋 6. Keep a Symptom Diary
Track your symptoms to identify triggers like certain foods, weather changes, or stress.
🚨 When to See a Doctor
If itching or burning sensations become severe or persistent, talk to your doctor. They may recommend:
• Topical treatments for nerve pain.
• Prescription medications for nerve-related issues.
• Referral to a neurologist for further testing.
💬 In Simple Terms:
Itching and burning sensations in fibromyalgia are caused by confused nerves sending the wrong signals to your brain. It can feel relentless and overwhelming, but by keeping your skin cool, hydrated, and calm, you can reduce the severity. Remember to listen to your body, take breaks, and never hesitate to ask for help if the symptoms become too much to bear.
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