Overview

Small fiber neuropathy occurs when the small fibers of the peripheral nervous system are damaged. Small fibers in the skin relay sensory information about pain and temperature. In the organs, these small fibers regulate automatic functions such as heart rate and breathing.

A diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy can be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as diabetes. Often, though, no underlying cause is identified.

This condition causes sensory symptoms such as pain, burning, and tingling. These symptoms often start in the feet and progress up the rest of the body. They may become more severe over time.

Small fiber neuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathies affect the peripheral nervous system. This includes the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. With small fiber neuropathy, the narrow nerve fibers of the peripheral nervous system are affected.

Symptoms of small fiber neuropathy can vary. Pain is the most common symptom. Other symptoms include sensations, such as:

  • burning, tingling, or prickling (paresthesia)
  • short bursts of pain
  • loss of sensation

Some sensory symptoms can be caused by external triggers. For instance, some people might experience foot pain when wearing socks or touching bedsheets.

Symptoms can be mild or severe, though early symptoms are often mild. Small fiber neuropathy tends to affect the feet first and progress upward. This is known as a “stocking-and-glove” distribution. At later stages, this condition may affect the hands.

In some cases, small fiber neuropathy disrupts autonomic functions. Autonomic functions are things your body does automatically, such as regulating digestion, blood pressure, and urinary function.

When autonomic nerve fibers are affected, symptoms can include:

  • constipation
  • difficulty sweating
  • dizziness
  • dry eyes
  • dry mouth
  • incontinence
  • sexual dysfunction
  • skin discoloration

Small fiber neuropathy can be the first sign of an underlying condition, such as diabetes. Other conditions that may cause small fiber neuropathy include:

Other causes may include:

An underlying cause isn’t always found. In these cases, small fiber neuropathy is considered idiopathic.

Having one or more of the conditions listed above may put you at an increased risk of developing small fiber neuropathy.

Diabetes is the most common risk factor for this condition. Research suggests that around 50 percent of people with diabetes will develop a diabetic neuropathy in their lifetime. Though small fiber neuropathy is less common than other types of diabetic neuropathies, it’s still a concern.

Studies have also shown that people with idiopathic small fiber neuropathy have a higher prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance than the general population. Impaired glucose tolerance is associated with prediabetes. Small fiber neuropathy may be one of the earliest signs of prediabetes.

Age is another risk factor. Small fiber neuropathy is more commonly seen in people over the age of 65 than in younger individuals. It may also be more common among men.

Doctors use a variety of different evaluations to diagnose this condition. These may include:

Medical history

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, medical history, and family history. This can help them identify diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions that might be contributing to your symptoms.

Nerve conduction test and electromyography

Your doctor might recommend a nerve conduction test along with an electromyography. These two tests can be used to rule out large fiber peripheral neuropathies, which can cause similar symptoms. When the results of these tests are normal, other tests are needed to assess small fiber damage.

Skin biopsy

Skin biopsies are the most effective way to diagnose small fiber neuropathy. They’re only mildly invasive.

During the procedure, the physician will remove several tiny skin samples, typically from the legs. The samples are then examined under a microscope for signs of small fiber neuropathy.

Reflex testing

Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing (QSART) tests autonomic function. It measures the amount of sweat produced when the skin is stimulated with a mild electrical shock. People who have small fiber neuropathy are more likely to have low sweat output.

Other tests

Your doctor might use other tests to identify or rule out medical conditions related to your symptoms. Blood tests, genetic testing, and imaging tests are other common diagnostic tests.

Treatment depends on the underlying condition. For example, small fiber neuropathy caused by prediabetes or diabetes is treated by managing blood sugar levels and maintaining a healthy weight.

When the cause hasn’t been identified, treatment focuses on managing symptoms. Pain-related symptoms are typically treated with medication, including:

  • antidepressants
  • anticonvulsants
  • corticosteroids
  • topical pain creams
  • analgesics

Most people with small fiber neuropathy experience a slow progression, with symptoms moving up the body from the feet. A diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy doesn’t mean you’ll be diagnosed with large fiber neuropathy later on.

Neuropathic pain can worsen over time. In other cases, it goes away on its own. In general, most people with small fiber neuropathy need to manage ongoing pain.

When the underlying cause is known, treating it can help resolve pain and improve the outlook in the long term.

Q:

Is small fiber neuropathy considered a disability?

Anonymous patient

A:

Small fiber neuropathy varies widely from mildly annoying to extremely painful. If the neuropathy causes an excessive amount of pain and impairs your ability to work, you may be eligible for disability. For example, the Social Security Association (SSA) guidelines, Section 9.08 and 11.14, describe symptoms of neuropathy that may indicate eligibility for SSA disability payments. The symptoms listed include tremor, paralysis, involuntary movement in the limbs, or the loss of bodily movements that cause standing or walking limitations. Many factors may affect disability decisions and an advocate or attorney may best answer your questions.

Deborah Weatherspoon, PhD, MSN, RN, CRNAAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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