Hyperesthesia is a heightened sensitivity to stimuli. It may affect any of the senses but often involves touch, pain, and temperature sensations.
We take in the world around us through our senses. There are two basic types of senses: special and general.
The special senses have special sense organs that take in sensory information. They all develop in the head and include the basic five senses.
Conversely, general senses all relate to the sense of touch. They do not have any specialized sense organs and rely on skin receptors to gather sensory information. These include touch, pain, and temperature sensations.
Hyperesthesia is the increased sensitivity to the stimulation of the general senses.
This article discusses hyperesthesia, its causes, symptoms, and more.
Hyperesthesia comes from the Greek words “hyper,” which means “over,” and “aesthesis,” which means “feeling.” Healthcare professionals use this term to refer to cutaneous sensations, which a person feels through their skin.
According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, hyperesthesia involves increased sensitivity to stimulation, excluding the special senses.
This may include sensitivities due to a lowered threshold to a stimulus or an increased response of a sense to a stimulus.
Hyperesthesia may refer to the following sensations:
- touch
- thermal sensation without pain
- pain
While the term may refer to any heightened sensitivity to a stimulus, doctors often use the term to
The most common types of hyperesthesia are allodynia, which involves experiencing pain from a stimulus that does not typically cause pain, and hyperalgesia, an extreme response to a painful stimulus.
The symptoms of hyperesthesia may vary from person to person, depending on the affected peripheral nerve and the extent of the damage.
Many people describe it as a chronic burning type of pain. The pain may be so severe that a person cannot tolerate covering their feet while in bed.
The pain may vary in terms of the
- intensity
- quality or type, such as burning, shooting pain, tingling
- frequency
- aggravating or alleviating factors
Hyperesthesia also may have the following symptoms:
- skin or hair changes
- muscle spasms
- changes in sensation
- redness or other discoloration
- swelling
- loss of range of motion
Hyperesthesia
- Systemic diseases: These include:
- diabetes
- hypothyroidism
- cancer
- stroke
- multiple sclerosis
- nutritional deficiencies
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Infectious diseases: Including HIV, varicella-zoster virus, and hepatitis C virus.
- Toxic drugs: These include immunosuppressants, ethanol, and chemo drugs.
- Mechanical causes: These include:
- trauma
- spinal cord injury
- syringomyelia, a rare disorder where a fluid filled cyst forms in the spinal cord
- phantom limb pain
- radiculopathy, a pinched nerve in the spine
- complex regional pain syndrome
- Hereditary conditions: These include metachromatic leukodystrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Any condition that causes damage or injury to the nerves, especially those relating to the somatosensory system, may lead to neuropathic pain.
People with any of the conditions above may develop hyperesthesia due to the damage it causes to the peripheral nerves.
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The reactivation of the varicella virus, or shingles, can also lead to hyperesthesia or paresthesia in the affected skin area.
The cause of hyperesthesia may be challenging to pinpoint because of its varied presentation and causes. The following procedures
The standard diagnostic process for hyperesthesia looks at a person’s:
- complete blood count
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a blood sample
- comprehensive metabolic panel
- fasting blood sugar
- thyroid-stimulating hormone
- vitamin B12
If a doctor suspects a specific underlying condition, they may perform diagnostic tests, which may include lab and neuroimaging tests.
They will also perform a neurological examination to assess a person’s neurological function. These tests can identify brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders.
The following special tests can also help identify hyperesthesia:
- electromyography, a diagnostic test that measures how well the muscles respond to the electrical signals in the motor nerves
- nerve conduction studies for large nerve fibers
- punch skin biopsy for small-fiber neuropathy
Treating hyperesthesia can be challenging and may require a multidisciplinary team approach. A healthcare team will
- treat underlying causes with medications and other interventions
- address the functional impairments
- provide mental health services, if necessary
Most of the time, hyperesthesia occurs as a symptom of peripheral neuropathy due to conditions that include:
- hypothyroidism
- nutritional deficiencies
- diabetes
Hyperesthesia is often chronic. However, there are strategies to reduce its symptoms and effects on a person’s daily life. The following lifestyle changes may help:
- exercising regularly
- eating a diet rich in whole grains, fish, nuts, and fresh produce
- maintaining a nutritious diet
- drinking alcohol in moderation
- keeping blood sugar levels low
When problems in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves are causing hyperesthesia, the doctor may
- medications, including antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, and topical pain relievers
- Botox
- epidural steroid injections
- sympathetic nerve block
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
- neurostimulation
Other treatments may include:
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- pain psychology
- sleep hygiene
- patient education
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, can be add-ons to other treatments.
The pain during a hyperesthesia episode may feel overwhelming. A person can retreat to a room with little stimulation to avoid additional triggers.
Additionally, deep breathing exercises and calming techniques, such as mindfulness and meditation, may also help.
Hyperalgesia is a general term for heightened sensitivity to a stimulus. It is a type of hyperesthesia and refers to an exaggerated response to a painful stimulus.
Allodynia is also a type of hyperesthesia. People with allodynia show extreme sensitivity to touch. Sensations that do not typically cause pain, including cold temperatures, a light touch, or brushing the skin, become very painful.
The outlook of hyperesthesia depends on the underlying cause. When it occurs as a symptom of a treatable condition, treating the cause may resolve the sensory issue.
However, neuropathic pain, such as hyperesthesia, tends to be chronic. While a doctor may initially prescribe one medication at a time,
Several other conditions have similar symptoms to hyperesthesia, including:
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- fibromyalgia
- myofascial pain syndrome
- pain due to physical trauma
Hyperesthesia is a neurological condition that causes a person extreme sensitivity to touch, pain, pressure, and thermal sensations.
Because it involves many possible causes and affected nerves, the condition’s symptoms vary but typically involve pain in varied intensity, frequency, and quality.
A person experiencing hyperesthesia should consult their doctor for diagnosis and treatment. While some may resolve with the management of the underlying cause, some cases of hyperesthesia tend to be chronic and require long-term treatment.