If even one of those nerves—or one section of those nerves—is pinched or somehow damaged, your brain may not receive all the sensory info your hands are sending its way. The result? However, there are so many different things that can cause your hands to go numb. Danoff says. This condition stems from the wearing down or weakening of tendons that wrap across your elbow, according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand ASSH. While full-blown tennis elbow tends to manifest as pain in your elbow or forearm, early signs are tingling and numbness in your hands.
If you experience either, take a break from the offending sport or activity for a bit. If it comes back, let your doctor know about it. Danoff says one of the most common causes of hand numbness is carpal tunnel syndrome—a condition in which the median nerve, which runs down your forearm and into your hand, becomes pinched at your wrist.
Along with numbness, symptoms of carpal tunnel include a sensation that one or more of your fingers—especially your thumb, index, and middle finger—are swollen or tingling, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NNDS.
If left untreated too long, you may need surgery to relieve your pinched nerve. For example, rheumatoid arthritis , an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints, can also be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. When left undiagnosed and untreated, an underactive thyroid—aka hypothyroidism —can result in damage to the nerves that transport information between your brain and spinal cord and the rest of your body.
Certain medications can cause numbness, abnormal sensations, and tingling in the hands and feet as a common side effect. But other common medications, such as anti-alcohol drugs, heart or blood pressure meds, infection-fighters, and skin condition treatments like Dapsone have also been found to cause numbness and tingling in parts of the body. Your body needs vitamin B12—a nutrient easily found in meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy—to create healthy red blood cells, nerves, and even DNA.
He or she may recommend weekly B12 shots for severe deficiency or a general supplement for mild cases. The pain is centered in various tender points around your body. People with fibromyalgia may also have numbness and tingling in their hands, arms, feet, legs, and face. Deer ticks infected with bacteria can transmit Lyme disease to humans through a bite.
The repeated motion damages muscles and tendons in your forearm, causing pain and burning on the outside of your elbow. This is very unlikely to cause any numbness in your hands. But this is very rare. Multiple sclerosis MS is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks the protective coating around nerve fibers. Over time, the nerves become damaged. Symptoms depend on which nerves are affected.
Numbness and tingling are among the most common symptoms. Your arms, face, or legs may lose feeling. The numbness is usually only on one side of your body. Myofascial pain syndrome causes the development of trigger points, which are very sensitive and painful areas on your muscles. The pain sometimes spreads to other parts of your body. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, the virus could destroy immune cells, leaving your body vulnerable to infections.
Stage 4 of this virus is called AIDS. This nerve damage can cause people to lose feeling in their arms and legs. Though there is currently no cure for HIV, antiretroviral therapy and medical care allow people who have the virus to live nearly the same as people who do not have it.
Amyloidosis is a rare disease that starts when an atypical protein called amyloid builds up in your organs. Which symptoms you have will depend on the organs that are affected. This uncommon group of conditions develops from pressure on blood vessels or nerves in your neck and the top part of your chest.
Cancer, an injury, or repetitive movements can cause this nerve compression. Pressure on nerves in this region leads to numbness and tingling in your fingers as well as pain in your shoulders and neck.
Vasculitis is a group of rare diseases that can cause your blood vessels to become inflamed, which affects blood flow to organs and tissues.
It can lead to problems like numbness. It often starts after a viral or bacterial illness. The nerve impairment causes numbness, weakness, and tingling that starts in your legs.
It spreads to your arms, hands, and face. If the numbness does not go away within a few hours or spreads to other parts of your body, contact a doctor. You should also speak with a doctor if the numbness started after an injury or illness.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms alongside numbness in your hands:. Because there are so many possible causes of numbness in your hands, doctors might need to do more than one test to determine the underlying condition. As a starting point, your doctor may use simple, noninvasive methods, such as asking about your history of symptoms and doing a physical exam.
Many of the causes of numbness in your hands may have similar treatments. Most symptoms of hand numbness can be treated at least in part with medication. Not all medications will be used for all conditions, so consult with a doctor before taking any medications. After medication, some conditions may benefit from physical therapy. You may want to avoid prolonged positions that cause swelling or pressure as well as harmful movements, such as improper form, which can cause tennis elbow.
Dietary changes might be used to treat conditions causing hand numbness. This could mean making sure you maintain a healthy, balanced diet, or it could involve taking supplements. Changes to your diet might also mean eliminating your intake of certain substances. This could include reducing alcohol and smoking. Surgery is rarely the first treatment, but sometimes it might be needed.
Surgeries vary widely based on the underlying condition. This might include:. Because there are many potential underlying causes of hand numbness, other possible treatments are available. Sometimes tingling and numbness can be symptoms of a medical emergency. This is true when a person is experiencing a stroke, which is when a blood clot or bleeding affects the brain. If you have any of the following symptoms, get medical help immediately:.
If your symptoms start to occur regularly, interfere with your daily activities, or cause a significant amount of pain and discomfort, see your doctor. Your doctor will start diagnosing your finger numbness by taking a medical history and examining your arm, hand, and finger. In some cases, your doctor may recommend you see a medical specialist, such as an orthopedic doctor who specializes in caring for hands, or a neurologist who can test your nerve function.
Doctors commonly order an MRI when a person has finger numbness. This scan helps doctors see areas where bones in the following locations may have slipped out of place:. Blood tests may also help a doctor diagnose conditions that cause finger numbness, such as RA or vitamin B deficiency. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter OTC medication to reduce inflammation. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. Another option is wearing a brace or splint.
This will help you keep your elbow or wrist in a good position so that the nerve is less likely to be compressed. Find braces and splints on Amazon.
Steroid injections can help relieve inflammation. Surgery may decrease the nerve damage, or remove or reduce bones that are pressing on the nerve. These procedures include:. You can also apply ice to the affected area. Exercises to stretch the hand and wrist can also reduce discomfort. Examples include:. Repeat these exercises throughout the day to reduce tension in your muscles. Several causes associated with finger numbness are due to overuse injuries.
These occur when a person engages in repetitive motions that can irritate or damage the nerves and cause numbness. Rest can help reduce overuse injuries. You can connect to a physician in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.
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