burning sensation over the body

[coxy67]

i am a 40 year old woman and i have burning and tinling over most parts of my body would you know what it is

[Lama Chahine, MD]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to take a history and examine you, I can not common on the cause of your symptoms. However, I will try to describe some conditions which cause burning and tingling.

The cause of burning and tingling symptoms depends largely on their distribution: what parts of the body they occur in.

(1) symptoms worst in the hands and feet: this can be caused by a process called a neuropathy. There are 2 types of nerves that provide sensation to the feet, large nerves and small nerves. A problem with either of these could lead to burning and tingling. There are many many causes to this group of disorders called "neuropathies". They include but are not limited to vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders such as lupus or a disease called Sjogren's, diabetes, certain types of neoplasm, and certain toxins (such as lead). As I mentioned, there are several other genetic, metabolic, and hereditary disorders that cause neuropathy, and what tests need to be ordered depend on the history and physical examination of the patient.

(2) Symptoms present on one side of the body versus the other, or in just one limb. Causes could include a stroke or the condition multiple sclerosis.

(3) If symptoms migrate (move from one place to the other) or are present throughout the WHOLE body, causes might include metabolic problems such as low calcium, though often these symptoms may reflect emotional/psychiatric problems related to stress (what is called somatization disorder). The latter is a true medical condition whereby instead of a patient expriencing depression or anxiety, they experience physical symptoms, and once the stress is addressed, the symptoms resolve.

These are just some causes of burning/tingling. Evaluation by a neurologist may help you in finding a cause and/or treatment for these.

Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find this information useful. Good luck.

[KimSb]

Have you looked into Lyme Disease & other tick-born infections? Tested for heavy metals, Mercury?

[tryinot2whine]

It appears you are having difficulty communicating about your pain; where it hurts, the intensity, etc. Seven years ago, I had a similar problem.  Ultimately, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  I found the best way to explain the feeling so others understood: I suggest the person relates to what it feels like when you hit your "funny bone" (elbow), except that the pain is constant; it doesn't go away.  If you can relate to this, there are a couple of simple tests a competent doctor can do to confirm or dismiss this possibility.

[hundborg]

Hi, I was hit by a car and broke my neck - my spinal cord was hit and had some head fractures.Other than head and neck pain, I have upper back pain at around about mid ribs level on my back, and also my tail bone pain. From that exact place down - upper back on both sides of my body - I also have a sensation down my trunk, back both legs and feet. It is like a numbness, a sensation like you have no outer layers of skin and all the nerve endings are exposed to the air and cold. If water or another thing of a different temperature to my body temperature at the time touches my skin in this region it stings and burns until my body adjusts to the temperature - going into a pool is excruciating, showers are difficult, toilet seats, leather, outside in bare feet, clothing zips and cold if I am warmer from out of bed, any daily activity where something of a different temperature touches my skin. This does not occur on my arms, upper back, head or neck. Which confuses me about the hypothesis that it is from spinal cord hit at c 2 and 3.

I did a bit of research into it and one thing was a hit to the spinal cord at the c2 and c3 level can cause peripheral nerve activation. I was in traction so my muscles were in a rigid position for a long time - several months. I still have rigid muscles, an exaggerated startle & shiver reflex.  I read something about the muscles and ligaments guarding the injured area as an initial response can result in the sympathetic nerve part of the autonomic nervous system getting over activated - so the flight and fight system does not turn itself off. I was wondering whether these two things were interacting - peripheral nerves & sympathetic nervous system to cause this nerve endings being exposed feeling. Situationally, my whole body was bruised and hit by the car and it was hit and run so I had to wait for 7-8 hours before getting assistance as well as the effect of traction so it kind of makes sense to me that the flight and fight survival instinct was kept on for longer than it might normally be supposed to. I also cant go into a deep sleep, can only close my eyes and am still aware of sounds etc. and are now (6 months later) taking sleeping pills to try and get some sleep as am desperate to sleep. I have a problem with the occipital nerve radiating over my head from my neck and am still experiencing double vision.

I am writing this to share with the origninal author, as I wonder if you have any spinal damage, an accident or illness where this could have occurred, or have noted additional back problems where nerves could be pinched or something?

I would also like to know  if the Dr has any advice about my situation?

Thanks.

[santoyo23]

Hi I'm a 26 Year old Mother of 2 BaBY Boys, and I had severe Anxiety and Depression for almos 2 years know. My depression is Gone but I still suffer from Anxiety. I'm taking zolof and it's almost 3 weeks know that I have had burning sensation on feet, hands, knees, and sometimes face, arms and shoulders, I would say all over my boy even my head.
Please let me know how can I get ride of this or if there is something else happening to me? .. Hope to hear from you soon..
Thanks,
a desperate Mother ! :(

[shelsy]

Have you ever encountered in practice these symptoms.

onset age 10-12 years
rt facial numbness, worsening
joint pain, with worsening
calf pain,
spinal