They often wear shoes or dress with more clothing than usual ,with consequent agony, to avoid offending the physician over a state of undress. The physician should ask the patient if the touch of clothing causes burning. The physician should also note whether the patient has left areas of the body uncovered with clothing. Physician tests for allodynia by touching the skin with a cotton ball. Time is required for its display.
Slow summation occurs much more rapidly with occlusive touch.
Air circulation under the cotton ball makes it unsuitable for testing allodynia. Allodynia is pain from nonpainful stimulus. What is being tested with pin prick is hyperpathia or overresponse to a painful stimulus. Patients should not be tortured. Less sharp objects, such as a slightly blunted pin, should be used to evaluate hyperpathia.