Difference between Allodynia and Dysesthesia

Both allodynia and dysesthesia include abnormal pain perception. Several underlying diseases, such as diabetes, have also been linked to them. Allodynia is characterised by the perception of pain in response to stimuli that are typically nonpainful, while dysesthesia is described as any impairment of the senses, especially the sensation of touch, due to nerve loss. In what follows, we'll go even further into these discrepancies.

What is Allodynia?

The term "allodynia" is derived from the Greek terms "allos," which means "other," and "odyni," which means pain. As a term, it refers to the sensation of pain in response to stimuli that would typically cause no discomfort, such as a gentle touch, brushing of the hair, a little poke, etc. This is a common symptom of migraines, and someone suffering from them may feel it whenever he washes his face, rests his head down, or engages in other similarly mundane tasks (American Migraine Foundation, 2019). It may be the result of a nerve disorder, but it can also happen on its own.

Intensity of discomfort varies. It may feel like a tightening or squeezing pain, a burning feeling, or an aching. Some of the side effects of living with allodynia are stress, insomnia, sadness, and exhaustion. The following are examples of these categories (De Pietro, 2017) −

• Thermal Allodynia − This kind of discomfort is brought on by the body's reaction to even a mild shift in temperature. The agony of a single drop of cold water, for example, is an example.

• Mechanical Allodynia − This kind develops as a result of friction on the skin. A simple touch, like a feather brushing against the person's arm, might be interpreted as excruciating agony.

• Tactile or Static Allodynia − This kind develops in response to minimal contact force. Tactile allodynia can cause extreme reactions to even the mildest touch, such as a person yelping from the agony of a tap on the shoulder.

Allodynia has an unknown origin. Research points to a dysfunction or heightened sensitivity of nociceptors, or pain receptors, as the likely culprit. Migraines, postherpetic neuralgia (shingles consequence), fibromyalgia, diabetes, and complex regional pain syndrome all increase the likelihood of this condition.

What is Dysesthesia?

The term "dysesthesia" was coined from the Greek meanings for "not normal" and "feeling," respectively. As a medical term, this refers to a decrease in sensory abilities, most notably touch (Dictionary.com). Hair loss, itching, burning, a feeling like something is crawling on or under the skin, a constricted sensation (typically in the chest), radiating, sharp, or stabbing pains, aches like that of sore muscles, tingling, an electric shock sensation, an unexplained sensation similar to hitting the "funny bone," and so on are all common symptoms.

Different varieties of dysesthesia have been identified (Huizen, 2019), and the feelings they cause might be either temporary or persistent.

• Cutaneous dysesthesia − Sensitive skin is a common symptom of scalp dysesthesia. The slightest wind or ill-fitting clothing might set off painful, irritating, or burning feelings..

• Scalp dysesthesia − This causes a searing pain in the scalp and its surrounding area. Sufferers with this ailment frequently itch their scalps without relief, leading to more hair loss. A disorder affecting the vertebrae in the cervical spine and skull might also be to blame..

• Occlusal dysesthesia −Biting causes unbearable pain for persons with this illness for no apparent reason. It's a rare but possible side effect of dental work..

• Oral dysesthesia −The term "burning mouth syndrome" describes this kind. It manifests itself as a strangely unpleasant or scorching sensation in the mouth for no apparent reason. This disorder has been linked to alterations in temperature sensitivity and gustatory perception in those who suffer from it. There is currently no known definitive aetiology of oral dysesthesia; nonetheless, it has been linked to psychological issues.

Damage to the nerves in the area causes the activation of unusual feelings. Incorrect signals from damaged sensory nerves, for instance, might lead the brain to induce painful feelings in the leg even if nothing is actually wrong with the leg (Pietrangelo & Goldman, 2020). Multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Lyme disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, AIDS, shingles, a stroke, nerve damage, HIV, and opiate or opioid withdrawal are all other illnesses that might cause this.

Symptoms can often be alleviated by treatment of the underlying problem, medicine (anti-seizure, antidepressants, pain relievers, etc.), and natural therapies (warm and cold compresses, hydration, skin-calming lotions, mindfulness, hypnosis, acupuncture, etc.).

Differences: Allodynia and Dysesthesia

The following table highlights the major differences between Allodynia and Dysesthesia −

Conclusion

There is currently no cure for allodynia, so the focus of treatment is on pain management through the use of drugs (such as Pregabalin or lidocaine-containing creams), the management of underlying conditions (such as migraines or diabetes), and behavioural and dietary modifications (healthy diet, enough sleep, light exercise, quitting smoking, lessening stressors, etc.).

The common symptoms of Dysesthesia include hair loss, itching, burning, a feeling like something is crawling on or under the skin, a constricted sensation (typically in the chest), radiating, sharp, or stabbing pains, aches like that of sore muscles, tingling, an electric shock sensation, an unexplained sensation similar to hitting the "funny bone," and so on.

Vineet Nanda

Updated on: 01-Mar-2023

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