Shy of hanging a big sign around your neck that says "CONTAGIOUS", I don't have any great ideas.

I am lucky to not be as super sensitive to touch as most RSD'ers are. My issues are mostly to the left of my neck over towards my shoulder and the left front of my neck to my collarbone. I'm okay with the perfect bra and tank tops most of the time and those aren't areas that strangers normally touch.

I do have issues when socializing with friends. My family does the peck on the cheek for greetings and saying goodbye. My friends are more huggers. Parrothead friends who have enjoyed too many cocktails and HANG on me when hugging is the worst !

If I see the hug coming, sometimes I can dodge it and say, "Oops, no hugging today, bad neck day" but often I'm trapped. It must be so much more difficult for you....stuck in the wheelchair, you're more of a sitting duck

On reading the thread title, I had my response of "Just tell your husband/bf/so.....not tonight !"

If you can see it coming try to head it off by simply saying my skin is very sensitive & painful, please don't touch me. (meaning no touching at all...)

Or if you have an appropriate/ acceptable non RSD place that touchy people can touch without causing you pain just tell them where it is OK to touch you..

They should remember if you keep it simple.
Like- It's Ok to touch here, but not here or there..

Hi I can relate. I have had RSD for 4 years. Anyhow no doctor touches my legs which are the rsd area that is my rule. The ones who deal with RSD a lot are ok with it and understand more. At the start of the condition I used to allow touching by the docs but it served no purpose other then to add pain. As for people being it my legs it is less of an issue then with the arms for you. I do keep a distance from people. At stores everyone I let go ahead of me etc. I wish I had more answers for you. I would just tell people you can't be touched at all and you are sorry. I would not even explain to people I didn't know why. I don't get why people as I say have to enter my square. I feel that way even with close talkers. I hope you can find a hapy medium. I know that for example I love plays but won't go to one cause of crowds. I am trying to take more risks but you know it just takes 1 knock to not want to anymore.