Numbness and tingling

Alternative names:

lack of sensation; loss of sensation; paresthesias; sensory loss; tingling

Home care:

The underlying cause should be treated by a health care provider.

A numb hand or foot may be more prone to accidental injury. Take care to protect the area from cuts, bumps, bruises, or other injury.

Call your health care provider if:

• tingling or numbness is not explained by an obvious cause (such as position-related "falling asleep" of a hand or foot).
• numbness and tingling is accompanied by other symptoms.
• numbness and tingling lasts longer than a few minutes.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

• location
  • Is it on the main part of the body (trunk)?
  • Is it on the legs or feet?
    • Which leg or foot is it on? Both?
    • Is it on the inner (medial) thigh or calf?

  • Is it on the arms and hands? Which (right, left, both)?
    • Where, specifically is it on the hands or arm? (Palm, fingers, forearm etc.)
    • Is it on the thumb, index, and middle finger only?

  • Is it on the face?
    • Is it around the eye (orbital)?
    • Is it around the mouth (perioral)?
    • Is it on the cheek?
    • Is it on both sides of the face?

  • Is it on the knee?
    • Does it feels like the knee is giving way?

  • Is it in many locations and the location changes (multiple and migratory)?
  • Do you have numbness over the entire hand or foot (like a stocking or glove)?
  • Is it only in the hand or foot (distal extremities)?

• quality
  • Is it numbness?
  • Is it tingling?
  • Is it another abnormal sensation?
  • Does the affected person ignore everything around them that occurs on the affected side (inattention to environmental stimuli on the affected side)?
  • If two areas of skin on the affected side are stimulated at the same time (pinching, poking gently with a pin or with the finger, or similar stimulus) is there a reflexive response (for example, do they pull away, jerk, or complain of discomfort)?

• time pattern
  • How long has the numbness lasted?
  • When did it develop?

aggravating factors

• Is it worse during or after exercise?
• Is it worse after standing?