Don’t Ignore Numbness in Your Hands and Feet! Don’t Ignore Numbness in Your Hands and Feet Gradual onset of numbness or tingling in the hands and feet often occurs among working-aged adults from repetitive and forceful activities, e.g. prolonged use of a computer keyboard and mouse. This symptom can have a wide variety of causes including poor nutrition (particularly vitamin B deficiency). But if the numbness and tingling feels worse and associated with pain, it may be a sign of peripheral neuropathy that should not be left untreated. Show
What is Peripheral Neuropathy and what causes it?Peripheral neuropathy refers to the condition that occurs when the peripheral nerves has become damaged. Peripheral nerves link the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body. They carry messages to communicate with the body’s muscles and organs. Damage to the peripheral nerves can affect internal organs, the movement control, and can also result in numbness, tingling, unusual sensation, and pain. Moreover, it can cause paralysis if a nerve is completely lacerated. Factors that can cause peripheral neuropathy
The treatment for Peripheral NeuropathyTreatment of numbness or tingling in the hands and feet depends on the underlying cause. For mild cases, the doctor may prescribe medicines to ease symptoms. If patients have neuropathy caused by pressure on the nerves, the doctor may recommend surgery to reduce the pressure. However, not all numbness is indicative of a serious problem, but it is something you definitely should not ignore. It could be indicative of something more serious; because vitamin deficiency, diabetes, kidney failure, and nerve damage are among the medical causes of these symptoms. If numbness persists over 2-3 days and is not improving, lifestyle changes and exercise may help improve the symptoms. For those who are not improving after 1 week and numbness spreads to other parts of the body, it is better to consult the neurologist for an evaluation and to receive proper treatment. For further information or making an appointment, please contact Neuroscience Center, Vejthani Hospital. Most people have experienced numbness in hands or arms from everyday occurrences like sleeping on your arm or holding a certain position too long. But, what about numbness in toes? Numb toes aren't as common, and can be worrisome. Causes include circulatory, systemic disease, environmental, and inflammatory, so it's important to contact your doctor. Read below to learn more about what causes toe numbness, possible treatments, and more. 7 most common causesVitamin B12 Deficiency Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Illustration of a health care worker swabbing an individual. Chronic Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy Pes Cavus Illustration of a health care worker swabbing an individual. Low Calcium Level (Hypocalcemia) Sciatica Morton's Neuroma Take a quiz to find out what's causing your numbness. Take toe numbness quiz Numbness and tingling in toes explainedLoss of sensation in a body part is often referred to as numbness. Many people have experienced this sensation upon falling asleep for too long on a crooked arm or typing for too long on a keyboard. However, symptoms of toe numbness are not as common an occurrence and can be worrisome. Furthermore, the toe numbness may be associated with other symptoms that may feel strange. Common accompanying symptoms of toe numbnessIf you're experiencing toe numbness, it's likely that you will also experience:
These toe numbness symptoms are often temporary, but unlike being able to find quick relief for symptoms such as hand numbness, toe numbness may be more difficult to resolve. As a result, it is important to follow-up with your doctor and get appropriate care as soon as you notice toe numbness symptoms. What causes numbness in toes?Toe numbness is the result of injury, compression or irritation of a nerve or a branch of one of the nerves in your foot and sometimes as high up as your leg. The foot is composed of many different nerves and small blood vessels that begin higher up in the leg and branch off in various directions to give blood flow and sensation throughout the foot. Because of this, causes that result in toe numbness are varied, but can be divided into the following categories. Circulatory causesConditions that cause narrowing of the blood vessels can reduce blood flow to the limbs and cause losses in sensation. The toes are especially susceptible because they are farthest from large vessels and may lose circulation first. Narrowing of the blood vessels is most often caused by plaque build-up in the vessels. This process is known as atherosclerosis and is the primary cause of heart disease and stroke. Systemic diseaseCauses related to systemic disease may include the following.
Environmental causesEnvironmental causes of toe pain may be related to lifestyle habits or certain exposures.
Inflammatory causesInflammatory causes of toe pain may be related to the following.
9 possible toe numbness conditionsThe list below shows results from the use of our quiz by Buoy users who experienced toe numbness. This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have. Take a quiz to find out what's causing your numbness. Take toe numbness quiz Tarsal tunnel syndromeThe tarsal tunnel is a narrow space that lies on the inside of the ankle next to the ankle bones. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a compression, or squeezing, on an important nerve called the posterior tibial nerve. This compression produces symptoms anywhere along the path of the nerve running from the inside of the ankle into the foot. You should visit your primary care physician who will coordinate your care with a muscle and bone specialist (orthopedic surgeon). Tarsal tunnel syndrome is treated with pain medication, corticosteroid injections, stretching, icing, physical therapy, and also special orthotic inserts for shoes. SciaticaSciatica is a general term describing any shooting leg pain that begins at the spine and travels down the outside of the leg. It is also called pinched nerve, lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic neuralgia, sciatic neuritis, or sciatic neuropathy. By far the most common cause is a herniated or "slipped" disc in the lower spine. This means some of the cushioning material inside the disc has been forced outward and is pressing on a nerve root. Spasms of the piriformis muscle around the sciatic nerve, as well as the narrowing of the spinal canal called spinal stenosis, can also cause sciatica. Symptoms include shooting leg pain that begins suddenly or develops gradually. There may be weakness, numbness, and a pins-and-needles sensation. In severe cases, there may be difficulty moving the foot or bending the knee. Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and simple leg-raise tests. Treatment involves physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants. In some cases, corticosteroid spinal injections and surgery may be tried. Massage and acupuncture are also sometimes helpful. Pes cavusPes cavus is a high arch of the foot that does not flatten with weight bearing. This foot type can cause pain. You should visit your primary care physician if you are experiencing a lot of foot pain. Surgical treatment is only used when there is severe pain. Morton neuromaMorton neuroma, also called by the older name Morton's neuroma, is a thickening of fibrous tissue in the ball of the foot. This tissue encapsulates the nerve leading to the third and fourth toes. It is not actually a tumor of the nerve, as the name suggests. The thickening is caused by years of trauma, irritation, and/or compression to the feet. High-heeled shoes, especially if narrow or tight, are a common cause. The condition is most often seen in women over age 45. Symptoms include burning pain in the ball of the foot, especially with walking or running. The condition will not heal on its own and can lead to chronic foot pain. Diagnosis is made through physical examination of the foot with simple range of motion exercises, and sometimes x-ray. Treatment includes changing to better-fitting shoes that do not compress the nerve; using orthotics in the shoes to take more pressure off of the nerve; and in some cases the use of corticosteroid injections. Rarity: Rare Top Symptoms: foot numbness, pain in the sole of the foot, pain when touching the foot, pain in both feet, foot injury Urgency: Self-treatment Lower leg weaknessAny leg weakness is a sign of nerve damage, which is very worrisome and requires you to go see a doctor immediately! Rarity: Uncommon Top Symptoms: lower leg weakness, foot weakness, arm weakness, loss of vision, severe pelvis pain Urgency: Hospital emergency room Low calcium levelHypocalcemia is a condition where there is not enough calcium in the blood. Calcium is a mineral contained in the blood and helps the heart and other muscles function properly. It is also needed to maintain healthy teeth and bones. Low calcium levels can cause bones to become brittle and more easily fractured. Parathyroid issues and vitamin D deficiency are common causes of this condition. You should consider visiting a medical professional to discuss your symptoms. Low calcium levels can be evaluated with a review of your symptoms and a blood test. Once diagnosed, treatment depends on the cause of your low calcium levels. Rarity: Rare Top Symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, irritability, general numbness, tingling foot Urgency: Primary care doctor Foot weaknessAny foot weakness is a sign of nerve damage, which is very worrisome and requires you to go see a doctor immediately! Rarity: Uncommon Top Symptoms: foot weakness, lower leg weakness, severe pelvis pain, hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there, arm weakness Urgency: Hospital emergency room Folate (vitamin) deficiencyFolic acid (folate) is a vitamin that is needed to make new cells in the body, including red blood cells which carry oxygen through the blood and into various tissues throughout the body. Folate deficiency refers to a condition when there is not enough folic acid in the body, and can lead to symptoms such as tiredness, low energy, faintness, and difficulty breathing. You can safely treat this condition on your own by taking a tablet of folic acid (folate) each day. Folic acid is also naturally occurring in foods such as spinach, sprouts, broccoli, green beans, peas, chickpeas, brown rice, kidney, liver, and potatoes. Eating more of these foods can help with symptoms as well. Rarity: Rare Top Symptoms: fatigue, depressed mood, irritability, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea Symptoms that never occur with folate (vitamin) deficiency: abdominal swelling Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit Take a quiz to find out what's causing your numbness. Take toe numbness quiz Chronic idiopathic peripheral neuropathyPeripheral neuropathy refers to the feeling of numbness, tingling, and pins-and-needles sensation in the feet. Idiopathic means the cause is not known, and chronic means the condition is ongoing without getting better or worse. The condition is most often found in people over age 60. Idiopathic neuropathy has no known cause. Symptoms include uncomfortable numbness and tingling in the feet; difficulty standing or walking due to pain and lack of normal sensitivity; and weakness and cramping in the muscles of the feet and ankles. Peripheral neuropathy can greatly interfere with quality of life, so a medical provider should be seen in order to treat the symptoms and reduce the discomfort. Diagnosis is made through physical examination; blood tests to rule out other conditions; and neurologic and muscle studies such as electromyography. Treatment involves over-the-counter pain relievers; prescription pain relievers to manage more severe pain; physical therapy and safety measures to compensate for loss of sensation in the feet; and therapeutic footwear to help with balance and walking. Rarity: Rare Top Symptoms: distal numbness, muscle aches, joint stiffness, numbness on both sides of body, loss of muscle mass Urgency: Primary care doctor Treatment and relief for numb toesWhen to see a doctorIf you experience frequent, persistent episodes of toe numbness, visit your doctor to find the exact cause of your condition in order to get appropriate treatment. At-home treatmentDepending on the cause, your doctor may first suggest other lifestyle modifications such as:
When it is an emergencyIf you experience any symptoms of speech difficulty, facial drooping, or weakness to the point you cannot raise your foot or leg, call 911 immediately. These could be signs of a stroke. Questions your doctor may ask about toe numbness
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions. Hear what 1 other is saying Share your story below! Required field First name initial (required) Required field Email (required; not displayed) Required field Title for your story (required) Required field Once your story receives approval from our editors, it will exist on Buoy as a helpful resource for others who may experience something similar. Submit story Request sent successfully An error occurred, please try again later The stories shared below are not written by Buoy employees. Buoy does not endorse any of the information in these stories. Whenever you have questions or concerns about a medical condition, you should always contact your doctor or a healthcare provider. Three toe numbness...Posted October 2, 2020 by D. It's not my big toe nor my #5 toe. It's the three in the middle that are numb. It's crazy. At times I can feel things with the three middle toes but other times I can't. I can't figure it out and can't find anything on the web that I can read to figure out why just these three toes go numb. I've never been involved in an accident. My feet have never had any trauma. But I did have to go to the doctor two years ago and get a shot in the foot because of the pain on the ball of the foot. But now lately I'm getting numbness on the other toes on the other foot. Now I need some answers. Share Copied to clipboard Close Icon.Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH. Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dr. Rothschild has been a faculty member at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In 1978, Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine. He also received an MP... Read full bio Was this article helpful? 25 people found this helpful Heart Icon.25 Tooltip Icon. Share Icon.Share Facebook Icon. FacebookLinkedIn Icon. LinkedinPinterest Icon. PinterestPocket Icon. PocketShare Link Icon. Copy linkCopied to clipboard Close Icon.Read this next Slide 1 of 2 Joint Issues Gout: Symptoms and Treatments Gout is a type of arthritis that typically attacks the big toe, but it can affect knees and sometimes other joints. Uric acid builds up in the joint causing the pain and inflammation. Read more Toes What Causes Big Toe Pain? Experiencing big toe pain can also cause pain when walking, swelling in the toe, or discoloration of the big toe. Common causes of pain in the big toe are a broken or sprained big toe, nerve damage, or gout. |