AUTHOR=Misery Laurent , Bataille Adeline , Talagas Matthieu , Le Gall-Ianotto Christelle , Fouchard Maxime , Huet Flavien , Ficheux Anne-Sophie , Roudot Alain-Claude , Fluhr Joachim W. , Brenaut Emilie 

TITLE=Sensitive Skin Syndrome: A Low-Noise Small-Fiber Neuropathy Related to Environmental Factors?

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pain Research

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/articles/10.3389/fpain.2022.853491

DOI=10.3389/fpain.2022.853491

ISSN=2673-561X

ABSTRACT=Background and objectives: Patients frequently complain of mild, transient, unpleasant skin sensations that cannot be diagnosed as common neuropathies. Dermatologists have termed these symptoms “sensitive skin syndrome”. This narrative review was performed for a better knowledge by other specialists. 
Databases and data treatment: Publications on pain in sensitive skin syndrome were obtained from PubMed.
Results: There is a growing body of data supporting the concept that sensitive skin is a type of small-fibre neuropathy. The arguments are based on clinical data, a decrease in intra-epidermal nerve fibre density, quantitative sensory testing abnormalities and an association with irritable bowel syndrome and sensitive eyes. Sensitive skin is triggered by environmental factors. Sensitive skin is a frequent condition, with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 50% according to self-reports. 
Conclusions: Mild levels of skin pain or itch are frequently experienced by patients, who rarely report them. There is a need for a better knowledge of sensitive skin because it can be the first level of small-fiber neuropathies.