[jillatk]

I have been having problems with various areas of skin being downright sensitive. Sometimes it is even uncomfortable to have clothes touch my skin. The back of my legs are always sensitive and then other areas seem to come and go. My poor husband never knows if he is going to get an "Ow" in response to a gentle touch. I asked my rheumatologist about it and he did not have an answer about what is causing it or what to do about it. Anyone else have skin sensitivities like that and what if anything helps calm it down?

Jill

[Snowbird]

Hi

My foot did that for a few months...eventually, it went away just like it came...I thought it was just plain weird...no further explanation I can help you with on that one even though I know exactly what you mean...

[Helen]

Hi Jill
I had very sensitive skin when I first got sclero, I couldn't stand anything touching my arms and legs. I don't have that now and I put it down to being on the right drugs.
Hope you find something to help soon.
Helen

[Amanda Thorpe]

Hello Jill

I had hypersensitivity affecting my hands, forearms, feet and calves at the beginning of my scleroderma. Everything hurt even blankets and I only dressed if I absolutely had to. It went away on its own thankfully but I did discuss it with a physio and she said that you can try to desensitise the area. You start slowly by touching the area with a soft fabric for a few minutes and work your way up to more coarse fabrics for longer.

It certainly seems to be quite common to have these hypersensitive areas for a period of time and I (a layperson with no medical training) blame the scleroderma for it.

There are medications that help with nerve pain and skin pain because yes there is such a thing!

Take care.

[jillatk]

Thanks for the replies. I am in fact in the first year of my diagnosis. I am hopeful it will settle down so I can tolerate my dog whacking me with his tail. That is one of the pleasures in life to have a dog wagging his tail.
I see my rheumatologist on Thursday and will talk with him about it again.
Jill

[Honey]

Hi. I think I can relate to what you may be going through. Before my diagnosis, my feet became pigmented, warm, tender, and so sensitive that I could not wear shoes or socks. Going to the rheumatologist, I was told it was scleroderma. Skin biopsy confirmed it. The skin thickening started right away, my feet were the starting point.

That was January, this year. Like you, even the blankets and sheets were hurtful. Walking was the worst pain! I was prescribed Neurontin (Gabapentin-generic) for the electric nerve-like pain, and it has made a big difference.

Talk to your rheumatologist.

Warm regards,
HONEY

[Vanessa]

Hi Jill

I am experiencing nerve/electric pains right now and get them frequently. I have this problem particularly with my lower arms.

I find it helps to dampen tea towels,put them in the freezer for 20 minutes then wrap around my lower arms for a short time. Obviously it is important to take care that they are not too cold but it certainly relieves the problem for me.

May be worth a try.

Best wishes.

Vanessa