Patch of skin that feels burnt but there's nothing there. I should NOT have googled.

[OgreRebel]

Small patch of skin on the outside of my forearm. Feels just like it's burnt or the skin's been taken off. But there's nothing there. Looks entirely normal.

Of course google informs me that it's neurological and I'm likely to expire by the time July's out.

Oddly, dh has been complaining of the same thing for weeks. A patch of skini that just feels irritated and prickly but with no obvious cause.

Any ideas?

It's not painful btw. Just irritating and weird.

I have HA btw so if you could avoid agreeing emphatically with google that'd stop the panic for a wee while.

*skin

It's called neuralgia, there can be a few causes, diabetes, vitamin deficiency etc. Do you get pins and needles anywhere?

I expect you have been abducted by aliens

Could it be hormonal? I have things like that every month but usually on the top, outer bit of my left arm.

I occasionally get pins and needles in my feet but because I have a habit of sitting with them tucked underneath me. Goes if I get up and wiggle.

I'm not diabetic but have always had a vitamin d deficiency.

Aliens? Do you think I'm pregnant?

Hmm. Do the pins and needles come on quite quickly?

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes neuralgia.

Am just getting over viral labyrinthitis. Don't know if that's relevant?

Otherwise well.

Have convinced myself it's something terrible.

Pins and needles do come on fairly quickly, yes? Oh God, is it something awful?

So, the pins and needles....

Am often anaemic btw. Heavy periods and just a tendency for it. Sorry, am drip-feeding info.

Something awful? Well, a cold could be awful to someone.

How long have you had the neuralgia and pins and needles? Any fatigue?

Good old Googlenose. I practically booked my own funeral this week.

Step away from Google

Your anaemia, do they diagnose this from a blood test or just from the fatigue?

Anaemia can cause neuralgia and palpitations if it's not treated by the way.

Stop panicking.

Neuralgia started yesterday. Pins and needles? Dunno. Ages. Just always assume it's because I sit on my feet. Never really bothered me pre-dd though. And it goes if I change position.

Not abnormal fatigue no. Not sleeping well though. Mainly due to the heat and a restless toddler.

Google's OK if you know what you are looking at. It can turn a migraine into a brain tumour though so don't believe all that you read.

Have always been turned down for giving blood because am anaemic (only slightly and it seems to run in my family, my Mum and Grandma were always borderline anaemic too). Was anaemic while pregnant (blood test). V anaemic post birth (blood test). Levels started to rise with iron supplements but then periods came back heavy and my iron levels go from just above normal threshold to slightly anaemic quite often.

sorry for hijack, but i do get pins & needles AND am very tired alot of the time

is this something to worry about

It's a good idea to pop and see your GP. Have a chat about the pins and needles, just as they come on really quickly. Then mention the odd burning sensation you are having in your arm. An efficient GP will refer you to a neurologist, this is absolutely nothing to worry about, GP's are lovely people but can't know every single medical condition.

Don't google, it'll say you have a million and one things wrong and it'll end up scaring the pants off you.

sorry Ogre, no help for you

Thank you fluffy.

Thing is, I know you're being sensible and reassuring and of course I should go to the GP. But all I see is the word 'neurologist' and now I'm sobbing.

I'm convinced it's something terrible.

GP might want to do a blood test for Vitamin B12 and iron levels, nothing to worry about.

Foosa, same advice applies, pop and see your GP. There is alot of conditions that can cause pins and needles, as I have mentioned above.

Seriously, don't panic. Neurologists are the nerve experts, it's the nerves that cause neuralgia (spot the similarities in the name ). They deal with all sorts (migraines etc)

What's the worst that can happen? Brain tumour? You have no symptoms for this so stop worrying.

My aunt has MS. It started as pins and needles.

I just assume the worst. So yes, brain tumour probably or MS or some strange as yet undiscovered, incurable illness.

ooh, i have this on my hand, little patch that gets really itchy, for no reason, had it for a couple of months now. i am probably run down, just got some vitamins

I know all about MS Ogre.

There's 2 different types, relapsive-remissive which gets better, goes away and comes back when it feels like it and progressive which gets worse and never improves. Every MS patient is different, for some they only relapse twice (it needs to me 2 or more to be called MS), the medication currently availiable is very effective. Out of all the people who pop and see their GP about pins and needles and neuralgia only a titchy percentage are diagnosed with MS. MS patients can have a very fulfilling life, the same as someone without MS.

Your chances of having something nasty are titchy, the chances of you having a vitamin deficiency are higher. Pop and see your GP.