Strange Skin Sensations Like Cold Drops of Water on the Head and Multiple Sclerosis
Having odd skin sensations can be alarming and frustrating. One of the strangest is feeling cold water dripping or running down parts of your body when nothing is there. Called Lhermittes sign or symptom, it can occur with certain medical conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS).
Understanding Lhermittes Sign
Lhermittes sign involves having transient electric shock-like or tingling sensations running down the back and into the limbs when bending the neck forward. Some describe it as feeling like cold drops of water trickling down the back or head.
These odd sensory disturbances happen because bending the neck places tension on nerve fibers in the cervical spinal cord damaged by inflammatory demyelination from MS. The damaged myelin disrupts proper signaling in the nerves.
Link Between Lhermittes Sign and Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis involves the immune system improperly attacking and damaging myelin in the central nervous system. Myelin provides the insulating protective covering around nerve fibers.
As MS progresses and causes worsening demyelination, nerve signaling slows, becomes disrupted or blocked. This can manifest as strange bodily sensations, numbness, tingling, pain, and other neuropathic symptoms.
Lhermittes phenomenon indicates myelin damage in the cervical spinal cord region likely related to MS inflammatory lesions. One study using MRI imaging found 80% of MS patients with Lhermittes sign had cervical spinal cord lesions.
Other MS-Related Skin Sensation Symptoms
In addition to feeling cold drops of water on the head and back, MS can also cause other unusual skin sensations including:
- Burning sensation
- Itching without a rash
- Pins and needles tingling
- Numbness
- Painful skin hypersensitivity
- Tight skin sensation
Areas most prone to abnormal skin feelings include the extremities, back, torso and face. But they can occur in any part of the body as MS damages myelin in both the brain and spinal cord.
Triggers Causing Sensory MS Symptoms to Flare
Certain triggers can make odd skin sensations temporarily worse in MS patients including:
- Increased body temperature from hot bath, exercise, sun exposure
- Neck position changes
- Muscle tension in shoulders and back
- Stress and fatigue
- ight clothing rubbing on skin
Paying attention to what worsens or improves skin symptoms provides insight into contributing factors. This allows patients to utilize helpful coping treatments.
Treatments Offering Relief for Unpleasant Skin Sensations with MS
While MS has no cure, various treatments can provide relief from uncomfortable skin symptoms like feeling cold water trickling as well as other sensory disturbances the disease causes.
Medications to Calm Nerve Hypersensitivity
Sensations of cold drops on the skin or other areas often come from damaged myelin causing neighboring nerve fibers to become overly sensitive and easily excitable.
Medications that calm nerve activity, also called neuromodulators, can dampen down this hypersensitivity and provide symptom relief. These include anticonvulsants like gabapentin or pregabalin and certain antidepressants like amitriptyline or duloxetine.
Steroid Therapy to Reduce Inflammation
Steroid drugs like prednisone or intravenous methylprednisolone can calm inflammation making MS nerve damage and related sensory symptoms worse. Though not suitable for long-term use due to side effects.
Complementary Treatments Offering Comfort
Complementary therapies like massage, acupuncture, relaxation practices, and hot/cold therapy can also ease the discomfort of MS odd skin sensations and make them more tolerable.
Massage therapy helps relax muscle tension affecting skin nerves. Acupuncture releases natural pain-relieving endorphins. Meditation and guided imagery take focus off the unpleasant sensations. And alternating hot and cold packs can desensitize uncomfortable skin hypersensitivity.
Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Transdermal electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy uses a small battery-powered unit applying adhesive electrodes to the skin that send mild electrical impulses to the nerves.
Gentle electrical stimulation from TENS interferes with pain signals, providing temporary but substantial relief for MS patients from skin pain, burning, and tingling sensations.
Seeking Effective Symptom Relief for Bothersome Skin Sensations with MS
Uncomfortable skin symptoms like feeling cold drops of water rolling down the neck, back and limbs significantly impact quality of life for those with MS.
Thankfully various medications, steroid therapy, complementary treatments, and nerve stimulation modalities can help provide relief from bothersome skin sensations related to MS nerve damage.
Working closely with your neurologist to determine the optimal therapies and lifestyle adjustments to best control your individual MS skin symptoms leads to the greatest improvements in comfort and daily functioning.
FAQs
What is Lhermitte's sign?
Lhermitte's sign involves feeling electric shock-like sensations or cold drops of water running down the back and limbs when bending the neck forward. It indicates MS spinal cord lesions.
What MS symptoms cause odd skin sensations?
MS damage to myelin nerve coverings can cause numbness, tingling, burning, itching, pain, tightness, and sensitivity in the skin without a rash. Areas like the back, face, and limbs are most prone.
What makes MS skin symptoms temporarily worse?
Heat, neck position changes, muscle tension, stress, fatigue and tight clothing rubbing on skin can temporarily exacerbate odd MS skin sensations.
What treatments bring relief for skin symptoms?
Medications, steroid therapy, massage, acupuncture, relaxation techniques, hot/cold therapy, and TENS nerve stimulation can all provide relief from uncomfortable MS skin sensations.
When should I call my doctor about sensations?
See your neurologist promptly if skin symptoms are severe, widespread, persistent or worsening as this may indicate MS progression or new activity requiring medication adjustments.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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