allodynia, hyperalgesia, or dysesthesia

Q: What is the difference between allodynia, hyperalgesia, or dysesthesia?

Answer: Most patients who experience stroke central poststroke pain can be manifested in them as allodynia, hyperalgesia, or dysesthesia due to damage to the somatosensory tract. However, other causes of allodynia, hyperalgesia, or dysesthesia could exist.

Allodynia is pain due to a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain.

Hyperalgesia, as the name appears, is defined as an excessive response to any pain stimuli.

Dyesthesia is an abnormal and mostly uncomfortable or unpleasant physical touch sensation without an outside cause.

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References:

1. Liampas A, Velidakis N, Georgiou T, et al. Prevalence and Management Challenges in Central Post-Stroke Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Adv Ther 2020; 37:3278.

2. Shumway NK, Cole E, Fernandez KH. Neurocutaneous disease: Neurocutaneous dysesthesias. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 Feb;74(2):215-28; quiz 229-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.04.059. PMID: 26775772.

3. Jensen TS, Finnerup NB. Allodynia and hyperalgesia in neuropathic pain: clinical manifestations and mechanisms. Lancet Neurol. 2014 Sep;13(9):924-35. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70102-4. PMID: 25142459.