Most of us at times experience a temporary tingling sensation or “pins-and-needles” in our hands and feet. This can result from either sleeping or sitting in an awkward position for a long time or keeping your legs crossed for too long. When this happens, the affected limbs are sometimes said to have “fallen asleep.” Usually, the sensation goes away when the pressure is lifted off the area; changing positions help to get the normal feeling back as the nerves resume sending messages back to the brain.
However, if the tingling sensation occurs frequently or lasts more than expected, it might be an indication of some underlying condition. Some causes of tingling hands and feet could potentially be more severe and need proper attention and diagnosis.
General symptoms
Common features of tingling hands and feet consist of:
- Numbness
- Prickling or maybe itchy
- Pain
- Potential Causes
While tingling sensation in hands and feet is rather common and not always a thing to worry about, it could have a number of possible reasons, most of them being associated with a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy. This condition is essentially nerve damage that prompts the tingling feeling. If you are still not sure what could be causing the constant pins and needles, listed below are other reason your hands and feet may give you pins and needles.
Diabetes
Diabetes may lead to nerve damage as it causes high blood sugar. It is one of the most common causes of tingling hands and feet, earning the name ‘diabetic neuropathy’. In this, the tingling signs and symptoms begin at the feet and travel up the leg, followed by sensations in different parts like hands and arms.
According to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, about 30% of the people with diabetes experience peripheral neuropathy.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Being deficit of vital vitamins like vitamin E, B-1, B-6, B-12 and niacin raises your chance of frequent tingling hands and feet. Your poor diet could be to blame for the lack of vitamins which are important for healthy nerve function. Vitamin deficiencies could also lead to anemia, an essential reason for tingling hands and feet.
Other symptoms of vitamin deficiency include:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue and headaches
- Nausea or shortness of breath
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease which affects the brain and spinal cord. this could lead to nerve damage. Multiple sclerosis could be another cause why your hands and feet feel numb or tingle as it is one of the early signs of MS. Getting an MRI test can identify any scarring on the brain or spinal cord that accompanies MS.
Systemic Diseases
Peripheral neuropathy could also be the result of different systemic diseases which includes kidney disorders, blood diseases, liver disease and chronic inflammation. These problems tend to affect and damage the nerves.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repetitive movements like too much typing can actually compress a nerve in your wrist and thus cause the tingling sensation in your arms, hands and feet. A check-in with your doctor can help diagnose if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. If you do, the best way to treat it would be to modify the way you do your daily activities.
Take Away
If you experience any persistent tingling in your hands and feet, it’s important to seek prompt medical attention. Early diagnosis of the underlying cause can help an early treatment, preventing you from potentially life long consequences.
