Understanding neuropathic pain without visible cause
Many people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) report a distressing symptom: a sudden burning sensation in the legs, arms, back, or face—often without any visible trigger. There’s no rash, no injury, no heat source—just the intense, uncomfortable feeling of being burned.
This symptom is not imagined. It’s a form of neuropathic pain caused by damage to the nervous system, and it’s one of the many invisible but very real sensory symptoms of MS.
What Causes Burning Sensations in MS?
MS is a disease that damages the protective covering (myelin) around nerves in the central nervous system. When these nerves are affected—particularly those responsible for sensory input—they can misfire or send distorted messages to the brain.
This misfiring causes the brain to interpret harmless signals as painful heat or burning. The sensation may come and go, affect one area or multiple, and may feel like:
Scalding water
A bad sunburn
Hot pressure from the inside out
Burning under the skin or directly on the surface
This is known as dysesthetic pain or neuropathic burning pain, and it’s common in MS, particularly in the limbs and trunk.
Why It Happens Without a Visible Cause
What makes this symptom so confusing is that it often occurs without any visible inflammation, redness, or skin change. That’s because the source of the sensation isn’t in the skin—it’s in the nerves that interpret sensation.
Key contributors include:
Demyelination of sensory nerves
Delayed or scrambled nerve signals reaching the brain
Fatigue, heat, or stress, which may make nerve misfiring worse
Occurrence during stable phases, not just relapses
What It Feels Like
People describe MS-related burning pain in different ways, but some common features include:
Sudden or spreading heat sensation
Burning deep in the muscles or directly on the skin
No visible signs, but intense internal discomfort
May worsen at night or during rest
Often appears in the legs, arms, lower back, or face
It may be brief or last for hours, and can appear in the same area repeatedly or in different spots over time.
Why It’s Often Misunderstood
Because there are no outward signs, this symptom is often dismissed or misunderstood—even by friends, family, or non-specialist providers. But it’s a well-documented neurological symptom in MS, and like all invisible symptoms, it deserves recognition and proper management.
What Can Help
While there’s no cure for neuropathic pain in MS, several strategies can reduce discomfort and improve quality of life:
Cooling relief
Cool packs or gentle menthol-based gels may help calm nerve irritation
Avoid overheating, which can worsen symptoms
Sensory distraction techniques
Light tapping, textured fabrics, or applying mild pressure may override misfiring nerve signals
Medications
Neurologists may prescribe gabapentin, pregabalin, or amitriptyline, which target nerve-related pain
Track patterns and triggers
Keep a symptom log to identify if burning sensations are worsened by certain activities, temperatures, or stressors
Talk to your healthcare team
Especially if symptoms are new, spreading, or interfering with daily life. Adjustments in treatment may be needed.
Final Thoughts
Burning sensations in MS are real, painful, and neurologically based. They’re not caused by heat or skin damage but by distorted nerve signals in the brain and spinal cord. Though invisible to others, they’re a significant part of the MS experience—and one that deserves attention, validation, and care.
If you’re living with this symptom, you’re not alone—and there are ways to manage it.
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I’m so glad this is being talked about. I’ve experienced this kind of burning pain and always struggled to explain it.