What Causes Tingling in the Hands and Feet?
Numbness, tingling or both sensations felt in the hands or feet can be caused by a nerve injury affecting the neck or back, certain diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Raynaud's, and conditions that affect the blood circulation such as diabetes. Other conditions that cause blood flow problems to extremities include clotting disorders, endocarditis (an infection in the lining of the heart) and atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries). Numbness and tingling aren't a condition by themselves, but symptoms of an underlying medical condition.
-
Buerger's Disease
-
Buerger's disease is associated with heavy tobacco use. The first symptom is pain caused by lack of blood flow, called claudication, in the hands or feet during exercise or at rest. Tingling and numbness in hands, finger, toes or feet follows, which, left untreated, may lead to gangrene.
Diabetes
-
Diabetes is a condition of chronic low blood-sugar levels that may be controlled by diet or medication or both. A typical symptom of diabetes, caused by insufficient blood flow to the area, is tingling and numbness of the feet that can result in ulcers forming on the legs or feet and, without treatment, gangrene.
-
Multiple Sclerosis
-
Numbness and tingling are a sensory symptom of multiple sclerosis. It is usually the earliest sign of MS, which can also include a burning sensation and increased sensitivity. Lack of blood flow to the area can produce these sensations. They can be exacerbated by sitting for too long and by some medications.
Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
-
AIDP, or acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, a form of polyneuritis, is a rare disorder that prevents nerves from sending signals to the muscles in the body. This is caused by the immune system attacking the myelin sheath, a protective covering on the peripheral nerve endings. A symptom of AIDP is tingling in the legs and feet; it may also spread into the arms and hands. It may progress rapidly over a few hours or take up to four weeks.
Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy
-
OPCA, or olivopontocerebellar atrophy, is a progressive disease that causes neurons in the cerebellum, inferior olives and pons -- areas located at the base of the brain -- to degenerate. These areas begin experiencing atrophy, shrinking over time. OPCA can be inherited or sporadic, which means there is no family history of the disease. Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet can occur.
-
