What is Numbness and Tingling?

Numbness and tingling are unusual prickling sensations that can happen in any part of your body, but they are generally noticed in hands, feet, arms, and legs. Many things can cause the feeling of numbness and tingling, including sitting with your legs crossed or falling asleep on your arm.

If numbness and tingling persist and there’s no obvious cause for the sensations, it could be a symptom of a disease or injury, including multiple sclerosis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Treatment will depend on your diagnosis.

The medical term for numbness and tingling is paresthesia.

Causes of Numbness and Tingling

Many things can cause numbness and tingling, including some medications. Everyday reasons that are no cause for concern include:

lack of movement, for example when you sit or stand in one position for a long time

sitting with your legs crossed

falling asleep on your arm

Other conditions that can cause numbness and tingling are:

insect or animal bites

radiation therapy

abnormal levels of vitamin B12 or other vitamins, potassium, calcium, or sodium

seafood toxins

carpal tunnel syndrome (pressure on the nerves in your wrist)

poor blood supply to the affected area

an injured nerve in your neck

herniated disk in your spine

pressure on your nerves (could be due to scar tissue, enlarged blood vessels, infection, or tumors)

diabetes

migraine headache

frostbite

shingles (a painful skin rash caused by latent varicella-zoster virus (chicken pox virus)

Raynaud’s phenomenon (a condition which causes blood vessel spasms that block blood flow)

transverse myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord)

encephalitis (inflammation and selling of the brain)

multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disease that targets the brain and spinal cord)

underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)

seizures

hardening of the arteries

transient ischemic attack (TIA) (a mini-stroke)

stroke

When to Seek Urgent Care

In some cases, feelings of numbness and tingling or burning can indicate a serious injury or medical condition. Seek urgent care if you also:

have just suffered a back, neck, or head injury

are unable to walk or move

lost consciousness, even if only for a short time

have feelings of confusion or trouble thinking clearly

have slurred speech

have visual disturbances

have lost bowel or bladder control

feel weak

have severe pain

Diagnosing Numbness and Tingling

Everyone experiences numbness, tingling, or burning on occasion. You probably have felt it when you stood up after sitting in one position for a long time. Usually it is resolved within minutes. You should consult with your physician if:

there is no obvious cause for continuing numbness and tingling

you have a rash

symptoms in your legs worsen when you walk

you feel dizzy

you have muscle spasms

you are urinating more frequently than usual

Expect your doctor to request a complete medical history. Be sure to report:

all symptoms, even if they don’t seem related

any previously diagnosed conditions

any recent injuries

any recent infections

any recent vaccinations (especially flu shots)

your prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements

Depending on the findings of a physical exam, your doctor may order additional tests. These may include:

blood tests

electrolyte level testing

thyroid function testing

toxicology screening

nerve conduction studies

spinal tap (lumbar puncture)

diagnostic imaging tests (may include X-rays, angiogram, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound of the affected area)

Treatment for Numbness and Tingling

Treatment will revolve around the reason for your symptoms. Any underlying medical conditions will have to be addressed.

Complications and Precautions

If you are experiencing numbness and tingling, you may also have reduced feeling in the affected areas. Because of this, you will be less likely to feel temperature changes or pain. This means that you could touch something without realizing it’s hot enough to burn your skin. You could be cut by a sharp object without realizing it initially. Make sure you take precautions to protect yourself from burns and other accidental injuries.

Source: http://www.healthline.com