If you have the condition of fibromyalgia- called fibro- chances are that you most likely understand exactly what it means to be uncomfortable in your own skin.

The pain of fibro seems to be directly connected to your skin. Researchers believe that perhaps the discomfort and pain felt in your skin is most likely due to the pain dysregulation of the condition of fibro.

Experts believe that people with the condition of fibro process sensations much differently than other people.

For example, if you were to prick your finger five times with a pin, after the first few you wouldn’t even notice it anymore because your body would become accustomed to it. However, individuals with the condition of fibro continue to feel it.

Of course, this is only a portion of the reason for the pain that individuals with fibro feel in their skin.

Individuals with this condition know that most of the time, the experience pain that has no obvious cause- there’s no pin pricking that can be blamed.

The condition of fibro is a very complicated one that medical researchers are trying to find an explanation for.

Is There a Link between Fibromyalgia and Skin Issues?

In addition, dermatologists are perplexed by the connection between the pain of fibro and skincare.

This is partially due to the fact that individuals with the condition of fibro also have conditions such as rosacea and other chronic skin conditions.

The relationship between these chronic skin conditions and the condition of fibro is not very well understood.

Some dermatologists say that it could be due to the fact that the condition of fibro could possibly involve dysfunctional nerve signals, which lead to pain and discomfort.

Some dermatologists have pointed out that though there is no specific data pointing out a higher occurrence of skin disorders among individuals with the condition of fibro, there could possibly be an overlap. Some of the areas that are considered are as follows:

Nerve-based conditions: the condition of fibro seems to be rooted in an atypical response to pain, which is most likely due to the atypical signaling of nerves in the body.

Skin conditions such as hives, itchy areas on the back, and others could possibly have underlying neural causes as well.

One study looked at 126 individuals with chronic hives and found that a very high proportion- around 70 percent- also had been diagnosed with the condition of fibro, which is a link that has been theorized to be caused by nerve dysfunction.

Overlapping diagnoses: some dermatologists have noted that studies indicate that the conditions of lupus and female psoriasis seem to frequently meet the criteria for a fibro diagnosis.

Chronic inflammation: in one study, researchers studied skin samples from 63 individuals living with the condition of fibro and then compared them with skin samples from 49 individuals who did not have the condition of fibro.

There were elevated levels of inflammatory markers in those individuals with the condition of fibro.

It is possible that the inflammation could possibly explain the reason why individuals with the condition of fibro have sensitive skin.

Patient profile: it has been noted that many times, individuals with the condition of fibro, also have the condition of rosacea.

However, there is no clear evidence that provides a direct link between the two. Since both of the conditions typically occur more often in women between the ages of 30 to 50, it has been surmised that their coexistence seems to be more related to patient profile than anything else.

Taking Care of Your Skin When You Have Fibro

While it’s very true that everyone could benefit from following a pampering, healthy skincare routine, when you are suffering from the pain that comes along with the condition of fibro, taking time to provide yourself with a little bit of extra TLC is just what you need to do.

Experts say that for individuals with the condition of fibro, the best thing you can do is to follow good skin hygiene. Following are some suggestions from the experts:

Limit the amount of time you spend in the sun: everyone should do this, but especially individuals with the condition of fibro- avoid excessive exposure to the sun and sunburns, as they can be much more painful in those who have the condition of fibro.

Be sure that you always apply sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 and do whatever you can to avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm- which is when the rays of the sun are most direct.

Be gentle with your skincare routine: it’s best to choose skin cleansers that have been designed for sensitive skin and to avoid using scrubs that are abrasive.

Always use lukewarm water: even though hot water feels good sometimes and can be quite soothing, it is also very harsh and can severely dry out your skin.

You should be bathing/showering in lukewarm water, using minimal soap with a soft cloth and only to the areas that get dirty.

You really don’t have to scrub every inch of your body every single day. Instead of rubbing, you should pat yourself dry when you get out of the bath/shower.

Always use moisturizer: when you get out of the bath/shower, apply moisturizer while you are still damp. This will help to trap moisture in your skin.

For best results, make sure that you go fragrance-free. This will help to avoid possible skin irritants.

Go through your makeup bag: if your skin tends to be easily irritated by these products, try to use it as little as possible.

If you must use makeup and other such products, try to choose products that work well for you but don’t have too many harsh ingredients in them.

Visit a dermatologist: if you are constantly experiencing pain, irritation, rashes, and other changes in your skin, visit the dermatologist.

After all, you have a physician that you work with to try to manage your symptoms of fibro- so speak with a dermatologist about your concerns regarding skin problems.

Trying to understand why your skin is so sensitive will most likely require some changes in your typical skin care routine as well as several conversations with a dermatologist and the physician who is treating your fibro. With just a little bit of effort, you will be able to find comfort in your own skin once again.

Sources:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia/6-ways-to-soothe-fibromyalgia-skin.aspx

http://www.livestrong.com/article/234322-fibromyalgia-skin-symptoms/