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Skin sensitivity

(54 discussions)

For the last 6 days, I have a skin sensitivity just as I did when I had the flu 10 yrs ago, however, I have no other symptoms of the flu.
My back, buttocks and thighs are VERY sensitive to the touch.
There is nothing visibly different.
I’m not taking any medication.

54 comments

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    9 10

    Actually, I’m not quite clear how posting a follow up works on this site – it’s not very obvious. However, in reply to Sue who talked about skin sensitivity on 17 December 2013,I would say that I also get this a lot.Indeed, there are other symptoms I get, which one woul normally associate with the flu, or a general infection, like a fuzzy feeling head, which often accompanies a generalised infection, just as the sore back and head do. I usually get these separately, but am perfectly well when I get them, so it’s a complete mystery !!!As far as the sore patches are concerned, I must admit, I’ve never had them as extensively as Sue when I’m well, but I do get them in different places on the body, such as the legs, arms, buttocks etc. Often only a tiny area is affected. It lasts for up to a week at most, then disappears. The doctor didn’t seem interested, and admitted he had no idea what it was, but not to worry as it wasn’t serious !!!

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    9 10

    Mike/Sue: I also suffer with skin sensitivity, its happened now on and off for the last 2-3 years. My skin is so sensitive I can barely touch it. I have not consulted with a doctor yet but have been doind research on the internet to find a beginning to what it could be. I ran across an article in the Harvard Gazette that tied skin sensitivity with migraines. I had never made that connection before now but I did have a terrible migraine on Monday and the skin sensitivity happened Tuesday and is currently still bothering me immensely. What are your thoughts?

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    9 10

    will you please give me a brief discription to identify the following skin conditions with lot of appreciation

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    9 10

    What problems are lightly to be caused by lack of sensitivity or over-sensitivity

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      9 10

      Dear Sir MADI DO A LOT OF CYCLING AND HAVE DISCOVERED I HAVE FALLICULITIS.ON THE SEATING AREA THE DOCTOR BELIVES SWEETING FROM CYCLING IS CAUSEING THIS AND MAY HAVE TO GIVE IT UP.IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO OTHER THAN PACK IN THE BCYCLING.

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    9 10

    I also have had some skin sensitivity recently on the legs and buttocks to my bewilderment. I have had no other problems and there is no rash or redness to the skin. It’s very uncomfortable but I haven’t seen my doctor becuase it seems to clear up after a few days! I’m just starting to research this and hope someone has some answers.

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    9 10

    I have had this for the last 2 year! I have never consulted because it always goes away after like a day or so. It happens usually like once a month, and its only on one side of my body, from my hip and down. It is sensitive to touch or scratch, also to hot and cold. I have looked up everything from Luikemia to MS and Lupus, none match. I am very much a hyperchindriac and would like to know what this is?? If anyone has any new leads, please email me Thanks

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    9 10

    I’ve had this going on for a few years also. You can’t describe the feeling. I tell people that my skin hurts and they look at me like I’m nuts. My sensitivity usually goes down the back of my leg and into my heel. It usually happens to me if I’m run down. I never actually get sick but it seems this is my bodies way of saying take care of yourself.

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    9 10

    ————————————————–My husband was just complaining of these similar symptoms. I did a bunch of research and I came up with various possible causes. The one that makes the most sense in his case is Exercise-induced stress. He plays ice hockey and basketball two to three days a week and they are never spaced apart. They are always two to three days in a row. According to a website I found, it states “exercise induced stress could have caused the modulation of skin sensitivity by dynamic exercise.” The website is the following: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Another website states that your skin can get the flu. It states “almost any kind of infection can make your skin ache.” One virus in particular is Herpes Zoster (shingles). It also states that a lack of humidity in the air can cause tender skin. Another cause could be trauma to the back or neck causing damage to a segment of a nerve, which in turn can irritate the skin. Another cause could be Diabetic neuropathy, which irritates the skin. For more info on the above, you can go to the following website:www.mothernature.com/library/bookshelf/books/16/201.cfm Also, the flu shot has been known to be linked to Guillain Barre Syndrome. It could show up as much as 8 weeks after a flu shot. Signs and symptoms would be fatigue and muscle weakness. Not exactly skin sensitivity, but it was interesting to learn about it.Lastly, another website indicated that a B12 deficiency could be the culprit known as pernicious anemia). Try to think about whether you had a trauma to your back in the past, a family history of diabetes, the flu shot, or are not taking vitamins. Perhaps they are the cause of your skin sensitivity.

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    9 10

    I just stumbled onto this site after doing a Google search for skin sensitivity. I have an area on the right side of my body (stomach)only which has become quite sensitive to touch and the rub of fabric. It’s not agonizing, but I definitely an aware of discomfort. There are no other symptoms. My doctor warned that it could mark the onset of shingles, but so far (a few days now) the sensitivity has remained but no surface symptoms have appeared. I’d rather it remain the mystery it is than have it evolve into shingles!

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    9 10

    I also am suffering from skin sensitivity. It appeared 2 and a half years ago and lasted 2/3 days. I was feeling one leg hyper sensitive to the touch and the temperature of the bath water. I had my back checked by a physioterapist but nothing no sign of pinched nerves or back pain. Since then I had it about 8 times usually starting from a buttock moving down the leg in patches right to the foot and sometimes then same thing happens on the other leg but never the two together. It looks like only one side of the body is affected at a time. 2 weeks ago the strongest attack, this time on my body just below my left ribs. I could not stand to keep my clothes on. It was burning too much. The doctor checked me for iron deficiencies and B vitamins and all seems well on that side. Still no explanation. I also see the symptoms related to very stressful times in my life.

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    9 10

    I also am suffering from skin sensitivity. It appeared 2 and a half years ago and lasted 2/3 days. I was feeling one leg hyper sensitive to the touch and the temperature of the bath water. I had my back checked by a physioterapist but nothing no sign of pinched nerves or back pain. Since then I had it about 8 times usually starting from the back of my leg moving down in patches right to the foot and sometimes then same thing happens on the other leg but never the two together. It looks like only one side of the body is affected at a time. 2 weeks ago the strongest attack, this time on my body just below my left ribs. I could not stand to keep my clothes on. It was burning too much. The doctor checked me for iron deficiencies and B vitamins and all seems well on that side. Still no explanation. I also see the symptoms related to very stressful times in my life.

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    9 10

    I also am suffering from skin sensitivity. It appeared 2 and a half years ago and lasted 2/3 days. I was feeling one leg hyper sensitive to the touch and the temperature of the bath water. I had my back checked by a physioterapist but nothing no sign of pinched nerves or back pain. Since then I had it about 8 times usually starting from the back of my leg moving down in patches right to the foot and sometimes then same thing happens on the other leg but never the two together. It looks like only one side of the body is affected at a time. 2 weeks ago the strongest attack, this time on my body just below my left ribs. I could not stand to keep my clothes on. It was burning too much. The doctor checked me for iron deficiencies and B vitamins and all seems well on that side. Still no explanation. I also see the symptoms related to very stressful times in my life. Can anyone out there explain this? Thanks

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    9 10

    I have had skin sensitivity all my life. Over my entire body when I have a cold, flu or some other illness — localized when I’m otherwise well. Lately I’ve had low level constant skin sensitivity, which makes me wonder, because that’s always been an indicator of illness for me. No doctor has been able to explain what’s going on, though I haven’t asked that many… Good to know I’m not the only one out here.

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    9 10

    I too get the skin sensitivty and it is hard to explain to people. Like a whole body sunburn is the best I can do. I get it all over my body, calves,thighs, belly, hips, back and neck. It hurts to touch, dress, undress, towel off etc. no rash no reason but my doc is giving me 50mills of amitriptalineand it helps me get to sleep it doesn’t get rid of the pain but it does “change” it so it’s tolerable. I’ve had it since Oct/04 when I was dianosed as Type1 Diabetes. Hopes this helps someone out.

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    9 10

    Just for clarification, I also had severe back pain for awhile at the same time as the sensitivity which has been corrected by my chiroprator (god bless that man). I also has a stomanch inflammation reqiuring Losec tablets for 4 weeks. Also a throat infection which I was given Pondocillan for 10 days. But the sensitivty started before all of this and the Diabtes.

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    9 10

    I have had lower back pain for several months. Largely due to neck surgery in May, lack of exercise because of the surgery etc. It seems to have radiated down by backside on the side and into my hip area. Exercising again relives it somewhat. A couple of days ago I started with pain in my thigh. Not the muscle, but only when I touch it. There isn’t a rash, but I have a burning, pins and needles sensation. Just wearing pants is very painful. But I can run, exercise, etc. it only hurts to touch the skin. Whats up with that?

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    9 10

    hi, just to let you know your not alone… It started in 2014,in late december… It lasted a month ..the pain was unbearable, I had to wear joggers, because my skin was sensitive. and even at that… I was on advil for a month and a half if not more. It started on one leg then travelled to the other. It seems like I got it again just last week, only on one leg and buttock… What an awful feeling.. i’m making an appt with my dermatologist, will let you know what he says..later patty

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    9 10

    I have had a syndrome for years as follows:It starts with bladder irritation and a tired sick feeling. Then a tiny sensitive area develops on my left buttock. What helps is applying Watkins’ medicated ointment on the sensitive spot and covering it with a band aid. If a larger area is involved, I have used Zostrix on it. The whole thing is a mystery!

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    9 10

    I have had a syndrome for years that comes and goes. It starts with bladder irritation and a tired sick feeling. Then an area of sensitivityappears on my left buttock. At times you can feel a little lesion, sometimes not. If it is tiny as it is most often now,a dab of Watkins’ medicated ointment on the spot covered by a bandaid helps.If it is larger, Zostrix helps. I am being treated for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia at present, but I had this syndrome long before diagnosis.

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    9 10

    I also have this very aggravating condition. I’ve had MRI’s, been to neurologists, everything I can think of and it still persists. My OB even took me off the pill because he was afraid it was a blood clot in my legs. Which it wasn’t of course. I usually get it in the lower half of my body, from my feet up to my buttocks…in patches, and sometimes in one leg, sometimes in both. I wish we could get answers, because it is very painful. I think it may be some type of neuropathy? Good to know we aren’t alone, although I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

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    9 10

    OMG it’s so nice to know I’m not totally crazy! I am married to a physician who thinks I’m nuts. I’ve thought it was herpes related but think I had the skin sensitivity first (even as a kid). I am on my way to get an MRI to check for disc problems but after reading this I think I am wasting my time.How about Sciatica? Anyone think that’s possible because it involves a nerve running from lower back down your legs… I don’t just get it in my legs but this is the most severe it has ever been. This is lasting 3 weeks now. In the past I have had little patches on my arms or legs but usually goes away within a week. HELP UP SOMEONE!!

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    9 10

    Had the MRI and I have a herniated disc. might want to consider that…

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    9 10

    I used to get this same sensitivity toward the end of my period, but it went away for years. I have a blood clot which is being treated w/ blood thinners, I take Neurontin, Paxil CR, thyroid med and cholesterol med, have taken these for years, I’m 42 now. This just came out of the blue 3 weeks ago. I can’t eat, I can’t wear anything and yet any cold air on my skin gives me extreme chills and my skin just aches, like a sunburn and the flu combined w/ no other symptoms, night sweats, nausea, loss of appetite, no fever…. I can’t explain it to anyone and I am shocked to hear others have this,,,,,amazing, thanks for letting me tell someone who understands!!!!

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    9 10

    Hi there- just trying to find anyone else with this wierd symptom- for years now every so often I start getting a very sore area of skin- usually around 1 buttock, thigh- recently it was a piece around my ankle-!!a headache usually follows and I am usually extra stressed beforehand- wondered if it was migraine but have never read this as a symptom! last time the skin was tender for days- like a sunburn but doesn’t look any different! so wierd- I am amazed to read someone else has this too!! what is it?? I was actually going to see the doctor about it but then something else came up- as usual and I cancelled and the soreness disappeared. I also wondered if it was some wierd viral thing…How do you describe “sore skin” to people??!!

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    9 10

    Me again- just read all the other older posts- these are my symptoms too- so amazing to finally find out that others have this too! I am sure that its some sort of viral herpes or migraine thing- maybe affecting some sensory part in our spinal cord- I am always run down when it happens- pity it doesn’t have a name in the medical books!!

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    9 10

    Woah! I get the same! I’m 32 and I’ve been totally stressed out and I’ve had this before but it never lasted this long before. I’m sure it will go away. So weird. This is totally one of those conditions I bet an eastern doctor of ayurveda or whatever would go, Oh yeah, velly easy to tleet! Eat dees apreecot pit! I think its the bodys way of saying yo relax and calm down yo. See you later, fellow skin sensitivity people!

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      9 10

      I started with the same symptoms as yall had, it started it my left buttocks, then moved to the back of my thigh then to the right side back thigh then to the front thighs and my hips. I soaked in a very hot bath with epsom salts, and today I have no skin tenderness at all.

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    9 10

    I have had ‘sore skin’ for almost a week now and it’s driving me crazy. I’m also sore in the joints and I’m a little fatigued. Other than that I feel fine. Middle of summer and it’s very hot and humid. I have no idea – unless viral, stress, and current climate conditions or maybe all the above. Anyone have any ideas….recommendations? Thnx!

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    9 10

    Wow! So I’m not the only one. I just received these same symptoms everyday for the last 2 months and it has only gotten worse. My skin feels like it has sunburn and the bones underneath that spot are very sore to the touch one day, but the very next day the sensitivity and soreness will have moved to another location within my body, and the previous spot is somehow pain free once again. I have no visible signs of anything showing on my skin and no headaches. Just the super sensitive skin and loss of appetite. If anyone can help, that would be great!! :-)Thanks!

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    9 10

    Nice to hear I am not the only one with this problem. Mine started with I thought a bladder infection. The sorness spread to my thighs and buttocks and then went away on it’s own. Now it is back a week later on my hip,groin and side. The same exact sensitivity with nothing showing on the skin. Has anyone had a doctors opinion on this? Very frustrating!

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    9 10

    I’ve had this condition every so often for the past few years. It might be just an area of right thigh or the outer left arm. Just a weird occurrence that never disrupted activity. However, I am now on day two of extreme painful sensitivity around my torso and left arm down to the elbow. Now THIS is disruptive and frankly a little scary. I did find a catch-all term for pain like this : For the last 6 days, I have a skin sensitivity just as I did when I had the flu 10 yrs ago, however, I have no other symptoms of the flu. My back, buttocks and thighs are VERY sensitive to the touch. There is nothing visibly different. I’m not taking any medication.

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    9 10

    I would be curious to hear what the doctor you are seeing has to say. Mine skin sensitivity gets better in one spot and then moves onto another spot. It was in my hip and lower back area which lasted a couple of days and now it has moved to my right shoulder and underarm. It feels like it is going to move across my chest next. It is really strange and frustrating. I don’t feel like I am under a lot of stres, but I do aggree with you that stress can cause many ailments.

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    9 10

    have had similar symptioms—we’ve had a heat wave the last three weeks, and got the symptoms on the insides of my thighs, and groin aeas— thought it was heat rash, but my wife and I could find no redness at all— still have it two weeks later, it’s not hot anymore, but any contact with my clothing is extremely irritating—it has not moved other than up and down along my thighs, inside and out, sometimes more pronounced when in contact with clothing—any ideas? mac

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    9 10

    I’m on Paxil CR too, and I just developed a mean case of skin sensitivity 5 days ago that won’t go away. I wonder if they’re related cases bc of Paxil CR? Also, I started taking mineral and calcium supplementents 10 days before this started and I can’t find anything online that would lead to those things affecting my skin.

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    9 10

    I am glad to hear I am not the only one. I started feeling the sensitivity in my skin on my arm and back about a week ago and now it has moved from there to my leg and abdomen. I figured it was some kind of virus but I have no other symptoms except being a little fatigued, and off and on light-headedness. The best way I was describing it was being similar to a sunburn – no visible changes though. I don’t know if it is related but after I had a virus a couple of months ago, it must have gotten to my eye and my ophthalmologist gave me steroid eye drops for my eye. I’d say that is probably around the time this sensitivity began. Could be coincidence. I am in Missouri – whatever this is it seems like it is getting around.

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    9 10

    My skin is hyper hot/cold. I am not hot nor cold, but my skin or the nerves in my skin are registering incorrectly. Room temp water I drink feels like iced water. Warm things feel HOT and cool things feel like ICE. My sheets feel like ice; the pants against my leg feel like ice. I can’t tell whether my baby is wet/dry; I can’t tell if the clothes in my dryer are dry or not. My sensory is all messed up. AND I have muscle soreness. I haven’t run a marathon but my lower back and legs are sore, mostly in the morning when I get up. No herpes, shingles, blood is good, no thyroid prob, no fever, or other flu symptoms, no headaches… Lame HMO doctor wants to say it’s itchy skin. It’s not. The cool makes it feel numb, but it’s not. I can feel. Going to neurologies, will check out spine/MRI. It’s getting annoying.

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    9 10

    I went to the doctors Friday then again Monday, I thought it was Shingles because it is a similar pain that I felt when I had Shingles in March. This pain is so much worse though. It started in my left bum cheek now it has moved all the way down into my entire back of the leg, ankle and bottom of my foot and into my feet and toes. Hurts to sit, wear clothes any kind of touch especially cold weather, that makes it ache.Nothing gets rid of the pain. I’m sorry anyone else has to endure but I am glad I am not alone.

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    9 10

    I am so happy to find this website – while I haven’t seen any definitive answers it is comforting to know I am not alone in this. I have had these same symptoms on and off for about a year. Lower left side of my back (kidney area)and occasionally the left side of my face. Incredibly sensitive to touch, pins and needles, clothing hurts to wear – hard to explain to anyone. From this site common denominators are fatigue, stress and recent illness. I am under a lot of stress, feeling fatigued and have just recovered from a horrible cold that put me in bed for a couple days – (first time ever so sick with a cold). Hopefully answers can be found.

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    9 10

    Marti just described my symptoms to a T. I have a bad cold that really is leaving me fatiqued and lasting longer than a typical cold. And my skin all over my back, the back of my arms is very sensitive, pins and needles as Marti says and clothing irritating. Has anyone posted anything to shed some light on this?

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    9 10

    About two/three weeks ago, my midsection began to feel very sensitive. But now it has moved to my thighs, mostly my left one. My midsection is completely better now after about a week. But for the past week, my thighs have been hurting, it’s like the pain keeps moving down. I’m 17, take no medication or anything. The only thing I think of would be stress from school.

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    9 10

    It’s me. After about a week of posting this, I am back to normal. My thighs are all better. I hope everyone else gets better as fast as I did.

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    9 10

    Good to know I’m not the only one. And after reading everyone else’s comments I’m suspecting that it seems to be a side effect of the flu. I’m getting over it now after 2 weeks. My body is sooo achy and sensitive to the touch. My hips, lower back, arms, thighs are all feeling ‘sensitive’. I can’t find much information on this through the web though. I would love to know how to make it stop. It’s pretty much driving me nuts.

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    9 10

    I had a horrible cold that laid me up for a couple of days too about 3 weeks ago, and I am just starting to feel better. I had midterms last week and today I woke up slightly nauseated and bad skin sensitivity mostly on my lower back, abdomen, and the backs of my arms (the pins and needles sensation). It’s miserable! What is this!

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    9 10

    Getting to this site late… I had the ‘sunburn feeling’ for 4 days on the skin around my ribs in the front and back. Very annoying. Went to the Dr, and was diagnosed with a sinus infection. He also said that I was the third person with this skin irritation that week. He had no name for it but put me on an antibiotic and it was gone after a day. Strange.

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    9 10

    What and where are the buttocks. I have this skin sensitivity severely for about 4 days now. I am a diabetic, but have also had two sets of shots in my lower back since the middle of May. So is the swnsitivity neoropathy or back pain or something else. I know the aggravation. Will probably be calling and going to see my pain specialist again. If I do, I will let all know.

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    9 10

    I have had this symptom twice. The first time I thought it was shingles, but my doctor said I had a vitamin B-12 deficiency. I started taking 2010 mcg daily and the sensitive skin went away the next day. A year later it returned in a different area. Again, B-12 seemed to be the solution. Hope this helps.

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    9 10

    It seems to me the common denominator is that all of us have been ill with a cold, flu or in my case a very bad cough with upper chest congestion. Now my left side of my foot, calf, and thigh are very sensitive to touch. Clothes hurt, it does feel like I have a sun burn. What is this very uncomfortable sensation? I’m happy to see that I’m not nuts… Thanks for the help!

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    9 10

    Had similar symptoms about 6 months ago – extreme flu-like sensitivity to touch on thighs, buttocks. Homeopathic specialist gave me Mezereum (really water which has “memorized” the chemical components of Mezereum). Took 1 teaspoon twice a day (10 successions {tapping bottom of bottle on your hand}of bottle before administering) and within 2 days, symptoms gone. Having symptoms again and will try again.

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    9 10

    For the last 3-4 years, I have had odd skin sensitivity that appears in odd places. Patches of my skin hurt by touch of anything, even clothes. First, my forearm, two days later, my other forearm, a week later, my thigh, etc. Recently, my buttocks and back sides of my legs were affected. This time, each day, the sensitivity would gradually move to my ankles and then my feet. It’s now gone. At first, I thought this was a stress reaction. But, it didn’t happen consistently with the same amount of stress. Then, I thought it was my body reacting to wine. But, I finally discovered that wasn’t the case (thank God!). After careful documentation of when it would occur, I have discovered that Ibuprofen was the culprit. Since I quit taking Ibuprofen, I haven’t had any skin sensitivity at all! Good luck! I know it’s a miserable feeling!

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    9 10

    I have had this sensitivity on and off most of my life. It seems to come around the same time as being sick with a cold or other virus. I usually lasts a few days but I have now had this for over a week. Haven’t had any signs of a virus though this time. Very annoying. You would think that a doctor could put a name to this

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    9 10

    I’m glad to hear this doesn’t seem to be a huge deal and pretty common. I was getting very worried. I have it on my breast, side and back for over a week but I’m just now getting a cold. That’s Weird though because everyone seemed to have gotten the cold before the skin sensitivity. I wonder where the heck this comes from?

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    9 10

    :Just recently I began having skin sensitivity. It started on my pubis area and has spread to my left buttock, inner and outer thigh, the inner knee is VERY sore, and now its to my inner calf and I think my left arch. I was not feeling well a few days prior to this and it does feel like sun burn or the feeling of sensitivity when you get the flu. No redness or rash or inflammation. Really weird. Just one side of my body, and just the lower half. Thank you all for your responses I feel a bit less scared. Has anyone gone to see a Doctor?

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    9 10

    Since last flu past 3-4 mo. I had liver blood test which comes up no good, suspision on hepatitis b, and other terrible staff. The sensitivity on my right side has started a month ago. Is that related to the liver or flu or else? I’ve no idea. Is anybody has the same?…

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