Multiple sclerosis (MS) damages parts of the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. This damage can disrupt sensory signals and cause different types of pain. The pain may feel different for each person, depending on the type. Some people with MS report feeling a burning sensation.

The burning sensation can be quite uncomfortable. One MyMSTeam member states, “The only way I can explain is that it feels like fire on the inside of my arm.” Here’s what causes burning sensations in MS and what may help relieve them.

What Causes Burning Sensations in MS?

How exactly does your body just suddenly feel like it’s on fire? Damaged nerve pathways may misfire, sending abnormal signals that the brain interprets as pain.

Nerve fibers in the central nervous system have a protective coating called myelin. Myelin helps nerve signals travel quickly and smoothly along the right path.

MS damages myelin, a process called demyelination. When myelin is damaged, nerves may not send signals correctly. When this happens, the brain may receive incorrect signals. This can cause pain even when there is no physical injury. One common type of pain in people with MS is neuropathic pain.

These symptoms can occur alone or overlap. This may make it hard to describe what you’re feeling, even when the discomfort is severe.

What Can Trigger Burning Sensations?

Sometimes MS symptoms, like burning, can happen without any specific trigger. Other times, certain factors may trigger symptoms to start or increase the intensity of symptoms that are already there.

There aren’t specific triggers for burning sensations alone. Instead, certain conditions can temporarily make many MS symptoms worse, including burning pain.

Heat is a common trigger. This is called Uhthoff’s phenomenon. Even a small rise in core body temperature of less than 1 degree Fahrenheit, caused by a hot shower, warm weather, or exercise, can make it harder for damaged nerves to send signals. Symptoms usually improve after the body cools and nerve function returns to its usual level.

Other factors that may temporarily make MS symptoms worse include:

• Stress
• Fatigue
• Infections

This temporary worsening is sometimes called a pseudo-relapse. It does not mean that MS has caused new damage. However, tell your healthcare provider about any new or worsening symptoms.

How To Find Relief From MS Burning Sensations

Despite how uncomfortable a frequent burning sensation is, there are some treatments and relief strategies you can try to help manage your symptoms.

Medication Options

Several types of medication may help manage neuropathic pain from MS. Two types of medication commonly used for nerve pain are anti-seizure medicines, such as gabapentin, and certain antidepressants, such as duloxetine or amitriptyline. Your healthcare provider can help choose the best option based on your overall health and medical history.

These medicines can reduce abnormal pain signals in the nervous system. The best choice depends on your symptoms, other health conditions, and possible side effects.

A healthcare provider may prescribe high-dose steroids for a serious MS relapse. Steroids can shorten the relapse by reducing active inflammation, but they don’t treat temporary symptom worsening caused by heat, stress, or infection.

Cannabinoids and Cannabidiol Cream

Researchers are studying whether cannabis-based products can help with MS-related nerve pain. Some studies suggest they may reduce neuropathic pain, but the evidence is limited.

A few members of MyMSTeam said cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in cannabis, helped ease their burning pain when used as a cream. CBD does not cause the high linked to marijuana. No CBD product is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for MS pain.

These products may cause side effects or interact with other medicines. Talk with your healthcare provider or neurologist before using a cannabis-based product.

Capsaicin Cream

In addition to medications taken by mouth, topical treatments (applied to the skin) can also help reduce pain. Topical treatments such as capsaicin cream affect pain-related nerve cells in the skin, which may reduce pain with repeated use.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is another method of pain relief. It involves placing electrodes (sticky pads) on your skin to send electrical currents from a small, battery-operated machine. These electrical currents may change how pain signals are transmitted.

TENS doesn’t help everyone, and its effects are often short-lived. Ask your doctor whether it may be worth trying as an added part of your pain treatment plan.

Complementary Approaches

Gentle movement and other complementary approaches may also help with MS pain. Options include:

• Meditation
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Acupuncture
• Pool exercises
• Massage and gentle stretching

You can try different activities to see what you like best. It’s all a matter of finding what your body responds best to.

Mental Health Care

Therapy may also help with stress, pain, coping, and overall well-being. A therapist may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, biofeedback, or guided imagery. These methods do not mean the pain is all in your head. They may help you respond differently to long-term pain and reduce stress.

Finding the right treatment may take some trial and error. Work with your healthcare providers to choose options that fit your needs, and let them know how well each treatment is working.