Definition of Cutaneous allodynia Cutaneous allodynia: Pain
resulting from an innocuous stimulus to normal skin or scalp.
The stimulus that triggers allodynia is not normally painful.
The pain can be provoked by combing or brushing the hair,
shaving, showering, wearing glasses or earrings. The pressure of
a single strand of hair reportedly can feel like a jab with a
white-hot knife. Cutaneous allodynia is believed due to a
transient increase in the responsiveness of central pain neurons
that process information arising from the skin. It is commonly
associated with migraine. From allo- meaning other + -dynia
meaning pain. Last Editorial Review: 6/14/2012 Back to MedTerms
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