I can tell you, yes it does mean damaged. if its desensitized or numb for a long period of time(weeks to months,years), its damaged. something like your leg falling asleep, is temporary, as the act of compression and lack of blood flow precents nerve signals, until there is no pressure.
After my idiopathic pn started, i started reduced or loss of sensations, in my right side of body, and the inside. Also if you have a condition, like dermatitis and you scratch and cause inflammatation that can also desensitize the skin.

Something like having shingles, which can initially present as pain, and after the infection, the area around the lesion were permanently numb(nerve damage).


Do you have PN, or injury to the head or spine?