Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or legs.
Alternative Names
Sensory loss; Paresthesias; Tingling and numbness; Loss of sensation; Pins and needles sensation
Causes
There are many possible causes of numbness and tingling, including:
Sitting or standing in the same position for a long time
Injuring a nerve (a neck injury may cause you to feel numbness anywhere along your arm or hand, while a low back injury can cause numbness or tingling along your leg or foot)
Pressure on the nerves of the spine, such as from a herniated disk
Pressure on peripheral nerves from enlarged blood vessels, tumors, scar tissue, or infection or due to compression of a body part (such as sitting with legs crossed)
Raynaud phenomenon (narrowing of the blood vessels, usually in the hands and feet)
Home Care
Your health care provider should find and treat the cause of your numbness or tingling. Treating the condition may make the symptoms go away or stop them from getting worse. For example, if you have carpal tunnel syndrome or low back pain, your provider may recommend certain exercises or other treatments.
If you have diabetes, your provider will discuss ways to control your blood sugar level.
Low levels of vitamins will be treated with vitamin supplements.
Medicines that cause numbness or tingling may need to be switched or changed. Do not change or stop taking any of your medicines or take large doses of any vitamins or supplements until you have talked with your provider.
Because numbness can cause a decrease in feeling, you may be more likely to accidentally injure a numb hand or foot. Take care to protect the area from cuts, bumps, bruises, burns, or other injuries. If you have chronic numbness of the feet (such as from diabetes), seeing a podiatrist regularly can help prevent complications.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Go to a hospital or call 911 or the local emergency number if:
You have weakness or are unable to move, along with numbness or tingling
Numbness or tingling occur just after a head, neck, or back injury
You cannot control the movement of an arm or a leg, or you have lost bladder or bowel control
You are confused or have lost consciousness, even briefly
You have slurred speech, a change in vision, difficulty walking, or weakness
Contact your provider if:
Numbness or tingling has no obvious cause (like a hand or foot "falling asleep")
You have pain in your neck, forearm, or fingers
You are urinating more often
Numbness or tingling is in your legs and gets worse when you walk
You have a rash
You have dizziness, muscle spasm, or other unusual symptoms
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, carefully checking your nervous system.
You will be asked about your symptoms. Questions may include when the problem began, its location, or if there's anything that improves or worsens the symptoms.
Your provider may also ask questions to determine your risk for stroke, thyroid disease, or diabetes, as well as questions about your work habits and medicines.
McGee S. Examination of the sensory system. In: McGee S, ed. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 62.
Swartz MH. The nervous system. In: Swartz MH, ed. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 21.
Review Date:
4/29/2023
Reviewed By:
Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.