A tingling sensation or numbness in the hands and feet is a common experience. Tingling in the hands or feet, although a common condition, may be quite troublesome. This tingling may be temporary and benign or a permanent symptom as a result of the onset of another illness.
In some cases, the tingling in the hands or feet may be severe or chronic and occur along with other symptoms like pain or itching. Numbness or tingling sensations are not restricted to hands or feet; they may occur in any part of the body.
Common causes for tingling in the hands
Tingling in the hands may be caused due to a variety of reasons. Temporary tingling may, however, occur due to improper posture or immobility for a long duration. The following are some of the common causes of tingling sensation in the hands or feet:
- Standing or sitting in the same position for a long duration
- Injury to a nerve
- Pressure on the spinal nerves
- Enlarged blood vessels that are compressing the nerves
- Side effects of medications
- Damaged nerves due to alcohol or tobacco addiction
- Animal or insect bites
- Infections or illnesses
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, stroke, seizures, multiple sclerosis, etc.
Diabetic neuropathy is a common cause of tingling sensations experienced in the limbs due to damage to the nerves.
Symptoms of tingling sensation in the hands
Symptoms of tingling in the hands are often accompanied by other symptoms like numbness, a burning sensation, or shooting or throbbing pain. The most common symptom is the “pins and needles” effect that occurs due to a compression of the nerve. This mostly occurs due to sitting or standing for a long time or maintaining an uncomfortable posture for a long period of time.
Tingling sensation caused by improper posture often affects fingers or toes or the whole arm or feet. It is intermittent and could be relieved by taking proper rest or changing positions. Other symptoms that accompany tingling sensation are as follows:
- Pain
- Burning sensation
- Sensitivity to touch
- Slow onset of numbness that spreads from fingers or toes to arm or feet
- Muscle weakness
- Sharp, jabbing, or shooting pain
- Paresthesia or the “pins and needles” feeling
Tingling in the hands is a sensation that is caused by a variety of reasons. Tingling that occurs on a temporary basis can often be relieved by change of position and is not a cause of worry. On the other hand, tingling sensations that occur often and spreads to other parts requires a proper diagnosis and treatment. Hence, if one experiences a tingling sensation in the hands or feet for a long period of time, they should visit a doctor at the earliest.