Prickly skin on my face

[Grassisgreener]

Hi, does anyone else have prickly skin on their face. It started 3 weeks ago and when I press my finger on my face it feels like a dozen needles digging in. I don't know if this is a thing with fibro?Ive not changed detergent, toiletries or doing anything different. More tired than usual having spent two days in bed over the festive period.

Happy New year to everyone out there.

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hello, there are many reasons for prickly skin on a persons face. I am not aware of it been a fibro symptom. If you have been experiencing it for 3 weeks may I suggest you should be speaking with a GP.

It could be nothing but it could be something. I would definitely get It checked out if it was me xx

Momo

[Grassisgreener in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thanks for your reply, I have a review with Dr in a few weeks so will mention it then.

[Iamthemedicalmystery]

I get this too and also my whole arm goes numb with the same prickly feeling. My dr said its my fibromyalgia but I also have diabetic neuropathy so can also be this..🤷‍♀️

[Grassisgreener in reply to Iamthemedicalmystery]

Bless you, that sounds awful. I have neurapthy in both feet so maybe its connected to that. Bloods show Im not diabetic but I feel for you

[Ninapod]

Hi GrassisgreenerOne of my main symptoms of my fibro is prickling, tingling, or numbness on my face and scalp. This happens every day to some degree or other and was what sent me off to the doctor in the first place before my diagnosis. Most times it is uncomfortable but can be a real burning sensation and my scalp feels as if it is crawling. Sometimes my face looks red and a bit blotchy but usually it doesn't look any different. If it is a new sympton, it will be worth mentioning it to your doctor. Hope you get this sorted!

[Grassisgreener in reply to Ninapod]

Thank you. Goodness how awful for you. It really seems like each of us have a unique blend of symptoms. No wonder its difficult to diagnose. Im joining a local group in a few weeks up to now this site has been my only support but with people like yourself it is invaluable.Keep as well as you can.

[Blearyeyed]

Have also been having head aches , ear ache , or been out in cold weather more often?You can get prickly skin like pins and needles in the face if you get hypersensitivity in the skin or face and trigeminal nerve involvement in your tender areas as part of your Fibro symptoms . It can get worse if you go out in the wind or cold. It can get worse if your skin becomes more dehydrated in winter , as we lose a lot of water without knowing it as we keep warm. Chewing , mild tooth ache or dental changes can unusually also cause our nerve endings in the skin to prickle.

If the nerve endings are flaring under the skin it can take a number of weeks for the little shocks and prickling to die down after it has been triggered even if the cause has long gone. Sometimes very gently brushing of the skin with fingertips or a super soft piece of fake fur or cloth can help reboot the nerve reaction.

A daily Antihistamine for a week , if you can take it with the type of medication you are on , can help especially if it has been caused by a hypersensitivity reaction , intolerance or it is a type of contact dermatitis which has not shown up as a rash .

Try to keep your face covered outside . You might want to keep clear of make up for a week or so if your skin is sensitive as dealing with any extra chemicals , even ones our skin is used to, can still be a bit much when it gets sensitive. Just try cleansing with warm water and using a moisturizer with natural ingredients.

Try increasing your water consumption, vitamin B 12 and Folates, vitamin C and Magnesium from foods.

Go to the GP to rule out other causes . Getting your blood tests done as a baseline and to rule out low nutrients causing more skin or Fibro symptoms is a sensible , proactive thing to do with a chronic condition.

Request Vitamin B12, Vit D, Folates, Magnesium , Ferritin/ Iron panel to be done.

You have the right under NHS guidelines to request Vitamin B , Folate , Ferritin and Electrolyte tests each six months , and Vitamin D and Magnesium annually with a chronic illness that can be effected by low or deficient vitamins and minerals, like Fibro.

Low vitamin levels , especially the Bs can cause skin prickling and itching .

[Grassisgreener]

Thank you so much for your reply, its very informative. I have b12 infections and take folic, calcium and vitamin supplements as a bariatric bypass patient. I will definitely ask for tests to be done though. Thanks again.