Tingling in feet and hands, possible causes

The hands, arms, legs and feet are parts of our body that are richly innervated, that is, they have many nerve endings that allow us precious and coordinated movements. For this reason, any minor alteration that occurs in the nerve endings can cause a sensation of numbness or tingling, which in medical language we call paresthesia.

The nerves are formed by the different nerve fibers They arise at different heights from the spinal cord, the nerve roots. Depending on whether the involvement is of a specific nerve root or several or of a nerve, the tingling sensation will vary, both in its intensity and in its distribution.

According to where it is located

The tingling sensation can be localized, in the portion of skin of the upper or lower extremities that depends on a specific nerve. But it can also be more generalized, at the level of the whole hand or the whole foot, unilaterally or bilaterally.

Depending on the distribution of the sensation of numbness, the duration and of the affectation unilateral or bilateral the diagnostic suspicion of the cause will be different, pointing to a more localized involvement, by compression or irritation of one or more nerves in particular, or there is a peripheral involvement of the nerves due to a systemic disease. Very rarely, numbness of the feet or hands is due to brain or spinal cord disorders.

13 Causes that cause tingling

Some of the causes that can cause the sensation of numbness in hands or feet can be:

Nervous compression

It is due to the fact that the nerves that leave the spinal cord crossing the spinal column are compressed at some point along their route, such as due to a herniated disc at the level of the cervical or lumbar spine, a vertebral crush or a mass that compress the nerve in a more or less specific region, as can occur in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow. Depending on the nerve roots or nerves affected, the distribution of the tingling will follow a different pattern.

By position

Abnormal or forced leg or arm positions can compress the nerves and consequently cause a tingling sensation. We all have a foot or a leg fallen asleep when sitting for a long time in a forced position, or we woke up with a numb arm and insensitive after having slept on it.

Synovial cyst

It can occur in any of the joints of the hands or feet. It comes as a small nodule on the skin containing synovial fluid, the own fluid that the joint produces to promote movements between the different bones that make up the joint. If this cyst is of a considerable size it can compress adjacent structures, including the nerves, which can cause tingling in the hands and feet.

By fracture

When we have a fracture that requires prolonged immobilization using a cast or splint, there is a slight compression of both the blood vessels like nerves, which can cause a crushing sensation in several of the fingers or toes.

blood flow

Alterations in the blood supply of the arteries and veins due to external compression, atheroma plaques, varicose veins or other causes can make it difficult to blood supply and oxygenation in the most distal parts of the body, that is, hands and feet, which can cause pain, as well as tingling in the hands and feet to a greater or lesser extent depending on the vessels affected and the magnitude of the blood flow that is compromised.

Vitamin deficiency

He, especially the vitamins B1, B6, B12 or E, which are necessary for the formation of the myelin that covers the nerves, can cause alterations in the nerves of the hands and feet that lead to tingling and alterations of the tenderness in hands and feet, in addition to other associated symptoms.

Peripheral polyneuropathy

It consists of alterations of the nerves that cause pain, tingling, lack of strength or lack of sensation in some specific regions, such as the hands or feet. For example, him Guillain Barre syndrome It is characterized by an inflammation of the nerves that causes weakness and paresthesia in the territories of the affected nerves.

migraines

In some people it is preceded by sensitive symptoms called aura, such as visual, olfactory or speech disturbances, as well as numbness in the hands or feet.

Systemic diseases

Some diseases such as diabetes or hypothyroidism They can affect, by various mechanisms, the peripheral nerves, which can manifest itself in the form of tingling of the hands and feet, among other structures.

Stroke

It can present as an alteration of sensation in an entire arm or leg unilaterally, although in general it is accompanied by other symptomssuch as a deviation of the mouth, facial paralysis, speech disturbance, loss of arm strength, or headache.

Multiple sclerosis

It is an autoimmune disease that causes a progressive degeneration of the myelin of the brain and spinal nerve fibers and can manifest as paresthesia in various parts of the body, including the hands and feet, along with other symptoms, such as excessive tiredness, involuntary movements of the muscles, or memory disturbances

Ischemic heart disease

An angina pectoris or a heart attack can cause a tingling sensation in the left arm and although it may appear in isolation, it is more common that it is more of a radiating pain sensation from the center of the chest, which is perceived as tight, and is accompanied by discomfort, cold sweat or nausea.

Anxiety crisis

Anxiety attacks can cause, among other symptoms, numbness in both hands, but also in legs, feet or face, as well as sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath or abdominal pain. They are characteristically bilateral, unlike most of the causes discussed above.

Most of the time, then, the sensation of numbness in the hands or feet has a clearly identifiable cause and the sensation disappears after a short time. However, if the sensation persists and no obvious compressive cause is detected to justify it, it is important that we contact our regular doctor.

• • Depending on the distribution of the sensation of numbness, the duration and the unilateral or bilateral involvement, the diagnostic suspicion of the cause will be different.
  • Most of the time, then, the sensation of numbness in the hands or feet has a clearly identifiable cause and the sensation disappears after a short time.
  • Very rarely, numbness of the feet or hands is due to brain or spinal cord disorders.

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