“I’ve often had this weird sensation. I didn’t know how to describe it for the longest time,” shared one MyMSTeam member. “One time, I went to wipe my forehead because it felt like I got water on it. My elbow feels like I’ve put my sleeve in water and it’s wet. Same with my foot — like there’s a drop of water on it.”

Another member had a similar experience: “I get that sensation down my legs sometimes,” they wrote. “I thought I peed my pants! Thank goodness it wasn’t wet pants! :) I’ve read it’s a common MS symptom. Weird!”

Most people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) are familiar with common symptoms of the condition, like weakness, blurred vision, and muscle spasms. However, some MyMSTeam members report unusual sensory symptoms — like feeling wet when you’re dry.

These members experienced something that may have been caused by a symptom of MS called dysesthesia. This term refers to altered sensations that are associated with pain or discomfort.

What Is Dysethesia in MS?

Feeling wet when your skin is dry is just one form of MS-related dysesthesia. Dysesthesia can be an early symptom of MS or may develop later after diagnosis. Additional examples of dysesthesia include burning, itching, piercing, and electric sensations that may be uncomfortable or painful. Dysesthesia can happen in all parts of the body.

Another term you may hear used to describe altered sensations is “paresthesia.” However, according to the International Association for the Study of Pain, paresthesia is used to describe abnormal sensations that are not unpleasant. This is what makes paresthesia different from dysesthesia, although both symptoms are closely related, and both can be associated with MS.

Why Does MS-Related Dysethesia Happen?

It can be puzzling to experience a sensation that doesn’t make sense in the context of your activities. You might worry that there’s something wrong with your body. However, when abnormal sensations are MS-related, the problem is typically a result of nerve damage, not tissue damage.

When your nervous system is working properly, nerves are able to transmit signals that help coordinate actions. To transmit these signals accurately and efficiently, nerves rely on myelin. This fatty substance coats nerve fibers, preventing electrical signals from getting lost and ensuring they get transmitted appropriately.

In the case of MS, nerve damage happens because of an overactive immune system that targets myelin. Specifically, this happens in your central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. MS can also damage the myelin surrounding the optic nerve, which is essential for vision. Because of this, MS can cause many symptoms — including unusual sensations like dysesthesia.

Over time, MS can damage enough myelin that certain areas in your brain and spinal cord show up on imaging tests, like MRI scans. These damaged areas are called lesions or plaques, and they help doctors diagnose and monitor MS.

So, why does your skin feel wet when it’s actually dry? It can happen because MS-related nerve damage causes the brain to misread signals. When myelin is damaged, the nervous system has trouble controlling movement and sensing things the right way. This can lead to common MS symptoms. Instead of responding to what’s really happening, your brain might bring back past sensations — like the feeling of being wet — and make you feel them again, even when nothing is causing it.

Living With MS-Related Dysesthesia

Altered sensations, like feeling wet, can be annoying or frustrating. “I feel wet between my toes. It’s horrible!” said one MyMSTeam member.

“I have just recently begun to experience this new and weird sensation,” wrote another. “I can be standing on the carpet, and my left foot feels like my sock is soaking. I take that off, and it feels like I am standing in a puddle.”

Talk to your neurologist if you think you’re experiencing MS-related dysesthesia. Your doctor might suggest changing your treatment plan, although long-lasting nerve sensations can be hard to treat. In many cases, treatments may be similar to how other forms of nerve pain are treated. Your neurologist may suggest drugs such as gabapentin (Neurontin) or pregabalin (Lyrica), but medical advice will vary from person to person.

Additionally, getting your MS under better control may help improve MS symptoms like dysesthesia. Treatment options include disease-modifying therapies that may help regulate your immune system and reduce your chances of developing more neurological symptoms.

Although living with MS-related dysesthesia may be challenging, some MyMSTeam members have succeeded in finding relief with both medical and lifestyle interventions. One MyMSTeam member shared, “I take gabapentin and duloxetine … and I am currently having acupuncture, which seems to help my feet and my sleep a little. I have been using relaxation strategies to try to cope better — massage relaxes me a little, and I am working on guided meditation.”

Your doctor should also take into account your specific lifestyle factors and other health conditions when making treatment recommendations. They should also discuss with you the trade-offs between potential treatments and their side effects. Talking openly with your neurologist about your questions and concerns can help you manage MS-related dysesthesia more effectively.

Even if this odd sensation is difficult to control, it might help to know you’re not alone. After one member shared their experiences with the “wet skin” feeling, another wrote: “It’s nice to hear it’s just another stupid MS symptom. It doesn’t make me feel better to know that others have the same problems — I just wish no one had this and every other problem!”

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyMSTeam, the social network for people with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with MS.

How have you had MS-related dysesthesia? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.