What is allodynia?

Allodynia is defined as a condition in which a person experiences pain from stimuli that usually do not provoke pain, such as a light touch or temperature changes. This phenomenon occurs in certain medical conditions, particularly those involving nerve damage or heightened sensitivity, such as fibromyalgia or neuropathic pain.

A key aspect of allodynia is that it is the inappropriate response to normally non-painful stimuli, highlighting a dysfunction in the way the nervous system processes sensory information. This misinterpretation can occur due to changes in nerve pathways or altered central nervous system processing, leading to an exaggerated pain response.

The other options represent different forms of pain or pain responses that do not align with the specific definition of allodynia. For instance, pain after injury relates to the normal healing process, while severe chronic pain can encompass a range of causes and doesn't specifically relate to the misinterpretation of non-painful stimuli. Pain triggered by psychological factors highlights a connection between emotional states and pain perception, which is distinct from the sensory misinterpretation seen in allodynia. Therefore, the definition provided for allodynia accurately captures this unique experience of pain.