People living with multiple sclerosis often experience a change in their skin known as sensory symptoms or altered sensations. These altered sensations can be difficult to describe as there are typically no physical symptoms associated with the sensory change. There are a number of strategies you can use to manage sensory symptoms.
Sensory symptoms, also known as dysaesthesia, paraesthesia or allodynia, are the result of damage to nerves caused by multiple sclerosis. The brain can no longer interpret incoming signals and instead tries to relate the signal to something the body has experienced before – for example being squeezed or burnt, or to something it can imagine.
Some of the more common sensory symptoms include:
There are a number of strategies that can be used to help manage altered sensations:
Medication may be available. Talk to your GP or neurologist about the symptom and the impact. Not all sensory symptoms will be treated – for example, numbness and loss of sensation may not be treated unless they are causing particular distress.
If sensory symptoms are interfering with your daily activities, an occupational therapist may be able to provide equipment or other suggestions. This may be particularly important for numbness of the hands and feet, which may make it difficult to perform certain tasks.
There are also number of ways you can manage sensory symptoms yourself:
If you have sensory symptom concerns talk to your MS nurse or GP, and at your next visit, tell your neurologist. If the sensation is having a major impact, your health professionals may suggest drug treatments. Otherwise, managing trigger factors or changing how you carry out daily tasks may be helpful.
We can help you find an occupational therapist in your area.
Includes information, resources and tips to help you manage sensory symptoms.