Migraine with skin sensitivity

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NEW YORK, July 3 (Reuters) Dihydroergotamine or DHE, an established drug for migraine, works well even when the attack is accompanied by super-sensitivity to touch or heat and cold, according to researchers.

Many migraine sufferers get relief from the newer drugs known as triptans, but these are less effective when people also have heightened skin sensitivity. This condition, called cutaneous allodynia, makes even a light touch to the face or neck feel painful.

''Unlike triptans, DHE works in the presence of allodynia, any time in the migraine attack,'' lead investigator Dr Stephen D. Silberstein told Reuters Health.

Silberstein and colleagues at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia came to this conclusion after a pilot study involving nine patients. All had episodic migraine associated with cutaneous allodynia.