Numbness in the hands and feet means you have reduced or altered sensation. It may feel like tingling (“pins and needles”), burning, weakness, or a complete loss of feeling. This happens when the nerves that carry signals between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body are affected.
Common causes
1. Temporary pressure on a nerve
This is the most common cause.
Examples:
- Sitting with crossed legs for a long time
- Sleeping on your arm
- Leaning on your elbow
Symptoms:
- Tingling or numbness
- Symptoms improve within a few minutes after changing position
2. Peripheral neuropathy
This is damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Common causes include:
- Diabetes (the most common cause)
- Alcohol misuse
- Vitamin deficiencies (especially Vitamin B12 deficiency)
- Certain medications (such as some chemotherapy drugs)
- Infections
- Exposure to toxins
Symptoms:
- Tingling in the toes and fingers
- Burning pain
- Numbness that gradually spreads upward
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
3. Poor blood circulation
When blood flow is reduced, nerves receive less oxygen.
Causes include:
- Smoking
- Peripheral artery disease
- Blood clots (can be an emergency)
Symptoms:
- Cold hands or feet
- Pale or bluish skin
- Pain while walking
- Numbness
4. Vitamin deficiencies
Low levels of:
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B6 (too much B6 can also damage nerves)
- Vitamin E
- Folate
Symptoms:
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Balance problems
5. Nerve compression
Examples include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (hand and fingers)
- Sciatica (leg and foot)
Symptoms:
- Numbness in a specific area
- Pain
- Weakness
- Symptoms may worsen at night or with certain movements
6. Problems in the brain or spinal cord
Conditions such as:
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Herniated spinal discs
- Spinal cord injury
Symptoms may include:
- Sudden numbness
- Weakness
- Difficulty speaking
- Vision changes
- Loss of balance
7. Autoimmune diseases
Some diseases cause the immune system to attack nerves.
Examples:
- Guillain–Barré syndrome
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
8. Infections
Certain infections can damage nerves, including:
- Lyme disease
- Herpes zoster
- HIV infection
9. Other causes
- Anxiety or panic attacks (often due to rapid breathing)
- Low calcium or magnesium levels
- Thyroid disorders
- Kidney disease
- Pregnancy-related swelling that compresses nerves
Symptoms that can occur with numbness
- Tingling (“pins and needles”)
- Burning sensation
- Pain
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty gripping objects
- Trouble walking
- Increased sensitivity to touch
When should you seek emergency medical care?
Go to the nearest emergency department immediately if numbness:
- Starts suddenly, especially on one side of the body.
- Occurs with facial drooping, trouble speaking, confusion, or vision changes.
- Happens after a serious head, neck, or back injury.
- Is accompanied by severe weakness or inability to move a limb.
- Causes loss of bladder or bowel control.
These can be signs of a medical emergency such as a Stroke or spinal cord compression.
When should you make a doctor’s appointment?
Arrange a medical evaluation if:
- Numbness lasts for several days or keeps returning.
- It gradually gets worse.
- It affects both hands or both feet.
- It is associated with weakness, balance problems, or pain.
- You have diabetes, thyroid disease, or another condition that can affect nerves.
How doctors find the cause
They may perform:
- A physical and neurological examination
- Blood tests (blood sugar, vitamin B12, thyroid function, kidney function, electrolytes)
- Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG)
- Imaging such as MRI or CT scans if a brain or spinal cord problem is suspected
Treatment
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:
- Better control of diabetes
- Vitamin replacement if a deficiency is present
- Physical therapy
- Wrist splints for carpal tunnel syndrome
- Medications for nerve pain
- Surgery if a nerve is severely compressed
- Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating a balanced diet
Most temporary numbness from pressure on a nerve resolves within minutes. Persistent, worsening, or unexplained numbness should be evaluated by a healthcare professional because early treatment of the underlying cause can help prevent permanent nerve damage.