searching for hints about a skin sensation

[Grasswire2]

For months, my skin on upper arms and back have periods where it feels ON FIRE. Absolutely burning sensation having nothing to do with room temp.
I discussed it with my pharmacist to ask if it might be from a medication. Nope.
It is not related to any known medical condition that I have. Doctor doesn't know.what it might be.
?

[Mike 03]

1. I was going to ask if it could be shingles, but if your doctor doesn't know

maybe it's something else. My ex-wife used to get something like that on the palms of her hands and she was told it was likely caused by stress/anxiety.

I'm sorry you are experiencing this! I hope you can figure this out. I bet somebody here at DU can help. Good luck, Grasswire2.

I'll check this thread again tomorrow or over the weekend because I'm very curious to know too.

[SheltieLover]

2. Could nerves in neck / upper back be pinched?

[tanyev]

3. Dunno. I have an area on my back that feels like a topical itch but is actually caused by nerve irritation.

The dermatologist called it notalgia paresthetica. I wouldn’t describe it as a burning sensation, although the itch sensation can get pretty intense if I skip my daily time on the acupressure mat.

Your situation sounds worse than mine, though. Hope you find some relief.

ETA: I just saw that some descriptions of NP do list burning as one of the symptoms. However, mine is a fairly small spot nearly in the middle of my upper back. Sounds like yours is more widespread.

[SheltieLover]

4. Check with a doctor of osteopathy

They are "real" doctors, write rxs & do surgeries, & have hospital privileges, but they also get extensive training in muscles & bones that might well help you.

[TexLaProgressive]

5. My first thought was allodynia

This is a neurological issue that can cause painful skin. I don't have any proof, but prior to being diagnosed with T2 diabetes mellitus I drank a lot of coke. I switched to Diet Coke, and that's when I started experiencing allodynia. It was the front of my thighs. The other symptom was a strange rushing feeling from my feet to thighs.

I read about some idiot kids in Plano, TX who were consuming large amounts of aspartame to ge some sort of high. That gave me the idea that aspartame was the culprit to my allodynia.

I stopped consuming aspartame completely. The painful thighs got normal. The rushing feeling is nearly gone usually only in the feet. This was over 30 years ago.

Now aspartame may not be your problem. Ask your doctor if a referral to a neurologist is in order. It sounds like nerve pain to me. There can be multiple reasons.

[slightlv]

7. Nerve pain was my first thought, too...

My skin will get like that when I have a bad fibromyalgia flare. Not only on fire, but press anywhere on the skin and it's painful!

[Ponietz]

6. Make sure any toiletries are hypoallergenic

Soaps, shampoos, hair care products.