Published on: 4/28/2025
This needle-like sensation with itchiness can happen when your nerves send mixed-up signals, a condition known as neuropathic itch.
Sometimes you may feel like tiny needles are poking your skin and causing itching. This happens because your nerves, which normally tell your brain when something feels itchy or painful, are sending extra or mixed-up signals. When the nerves are irritated or damaged, they can make you feel sensations that aren’t really caused by something touching your skin. This is what doctors call neuropathic itch. It can occur in some conditions where the nerves become extra sensitive. To help manage these sensations, doctors might suggest treatments that calm the nerves, such as special creams or medications that reduce nerve pain. In addition, they might recommend simple skin care, like using gentle cleansers or moisturizers, to soothe the itch. If these feelings continue or worsen, it’s a good idea to get checked by your healthcare provider so they can figure out the best way to help you feel better.
(References)
Oaklander AL. Neuropathic Itch. In: Carstens E, Akiyama T, editors. Itch: Mechanisms and Treatment. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2014. Chapter 7.
Hachisuka J, Chiang MC, Ross SE. Itch and neuropathic itch. Pain. 2018 Mar;159(3):603-609. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001141. PMID: 29389746; PMCID: PMC6106783.
Pereira MP, Wiegmann H, Agelopoulos K, Ständer S. Neuropathic Itch: Routes to Clinical Diagnosis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Feb 24;8:641746. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.641746. PMID: 33732722; PMCID: PMC7959783.
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