Skin feels raw, but no rash

[hypervigilant]

For years I've been having occasional episodes where small areas of my skin feel sore and tender. It tends to be on my torso somewhere, but I think I've experienced it on my upper legs and rear end as well.  Right now it's an area starting at my spine below my ribcage, and wrapping around my side to the front a bit. It's a sensation that my skin is raw, as if it's been scraped or carpet-burned.  Any contact with the area feels exactly as if I'm touching raw tender skin (probably less painful) and the discomfort seems to be just skin-deep.  There is never a rash or injury of any kind, and I can't trace it to any kind of lifestyle thing, activity, detergent, etc.  It's been going on for years, never lasts more than a few days, and is never more than mildly annoying.  It hasn't killed me yet, so I'm really not concerned that something's terribly wrong, but I'd like to know what it is and if anyone else has ever experienced it.  

[mouser999]

I had these symptoms since I was a teen, way before I even kissed a guy.

[Pendular]

I'm convinced that this is the answer. See

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3076592/

[JoJo531]

its such arelief to see someone else has my same symptoms. im hoping i can also take valtrex and it will go away. so its happened before to you? i had for a while and went away for about two weeks and then boom out of nowhere it started again. just feels relief hearing it from someone else. thnak you. happy holidays and hopefully we can get over it soon. =)

[ChrisK15]

Wow, count me as another. The better half thought I was nuts. Early 40's male in decent shape. Mine seemed to start about a week ago after I got a haircut...not sure if a connection, just saying. I have the sensation on the left side near my underarm and lat. I also have the sensation on my scalp, if I touch certain areas of my hair on the left side...weird.  A couple days later I got an ear ache which I haven't had in about 30 years and some tenderness behind the ear that seems to run down the jaw line, but the lymph node near there isn't sore or swollen. Again, weird to me.

Haven't been to Doc, and probably won't unless it sticks around or gets worse. I'm wondering if either some type of virus connected to the ear ache or as someone mentioned above, a fungal thing, perhaps from unsanitary instruments at barber.  Very weird and hate to say I'm glad I'm not alone, just wish someone could give a better diagnosis.

Oh, I have had chicken pox when younger, but no other virus (herpes), etc. Stress has been moderate and sleep has been less than good. I prob need to up Vit D as only at 1500 iu in multi. It is also warmer than normal here in the northeast, so wondering about allergies as well.

[sunnyside]

Here's the link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147963.php#what_causes_neuropathy

[sunnyside]

Yesterday I also started getting the rug burn feeling on the inside of my left arm. It is miserable when clothes (or something) touches that area. I have neuropathy (Sjogrens syndrome) so don't have feeling in either leg from the knee down, but the past few days, been getting a feeling like a hair being pulled under the skin in my legs. Figured that was neurological, so thought maybe the rug burned arm was, too since it happened at the same time.  The link below says that neuropathy can be caused by "Infections - damage can be caused to peripheral nerves by some infections including shingles, HIV infection and Lyme disease."  Interesting how others commented on shingles and Lyme disease being a culprit of this non-rash skin thing, too, maybe an infection brings it on.

[sunnyside]

Update: Mine did turn into shingles about 6 days after the rug burn feeling started. Now have rash on left arm, left chest and back.