Overview
Numbness means a part of the body feels less sensation than usual or no sensation at all. Some people also notice tingling, burning, weakness, or a feeling that the area is "asleep." Numbness can involve a small area, such as a fingertip, or a larger area, such as one side of the body.
Key Symptoms
Numbness may feel like reduced touch, tingling, pins and needles, burning, or an unusual crawling sensation. It may come and go or stay constant. Depending on the cause, it can happen with weakness, pain, trouble walking, dizziness, speech changes, or vision changes.
Causes and Risk Factors
Common causes include pressure on a nerve from posture, repetitive movements, or swelling around a joint. Numbness can also happen with diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, infections, injuries, poor circulation, migraine, multiple sclerosis, or problems in the brain or spinal cord. Risk factors depend on the cause and may include long-term high blood sugar, alcohol misuse, certain medicines, trauma, and conditions that affect blood vessels or nerves.
Who Is Affected
Numbness can affect people of any age. It is more common in people with diabetes, nerve injuries, back or neck problems, circulation problems, or certain long-term medical conditions. Workers or athletes who repeat the same hand, wrist, or arm motions may also be affected.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional will usually ask where the numbness is, when it started, how long it lasts, and what other symptoms are present. They may check strength, reflexes, balance, skin sensation, and blood flow. Depending on the suspected cause, testing may include blood tests, nerve studies, or imaging such as scans of the brain or spine.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the cause. It may include managing an underlying condition, reducing pressure on a nerve, physical therapy, or other treatments recommended by a healthcare professional. Sudden or severe numbness needs urgent assessment because some causes require immediate care.
Living With It
Ongoing numbness can raise the risk of cuts, burns, falls, or unnoticed injuries because feeling is reduced. Check affected areas regularly, especially the feet, and use caution with hot surfaces and sharp objects. If numbness affects walking or balance, ask a healthcare professional about ways to lower fall risk.
When to Seek Medical Care
Arrange medical care if numbness keeps returning, lasts longer than expected, spreads, or interferes with daily activities. Seek care sooner if it is linked to back or neck pain, weakness, trouble using a hand or foot, or symptoms of diabetes or poor circulation. Ongoing numbness should not be ignored, even if it is not painful.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get emergency help right away if numbness starts suddenly, especially on one side of the body, or happens with face drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, severe headache, loss of balance, chest pain, or trouble breathing. Emergency care is also needed after a serious injury or if numbness affects bowel or bladder control. These can be signs of stroke, spinal cord compression, or other urgent conditions.